“MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL” – Charlene Cox

Posted by mcoxbmi on July 6, 2026
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Ephesians 6:19  “And (pray) for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.” KJV This is the sixth place in the letter to the Ephesians that St. Paul speaks of a mystery, the mystery of the gospel. As I said before, the word “gospel” means the “good news” that a king has arrived and “mystery” means something that is secret, hidden knowledge, known only to the initiated. We can readily apply that to the world-changing entrance of the resurrected Jesus as He embarked on His eternal reign.

Ephesians 2:4-6  “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” KJV This is the hidden knowledge, that we reign with Him! In Him, with Him, by Him, through Him, phrases St. Paul uses over fifty times in this letter. This is who we, the initiated, are, but only if we are IN Christ Jesus.

I used to think that to be IN Christ Jesus meant to be IN church. How many people who call themselves Christians were just like me, not realizing what to be IN Him really meant. This is hidden knowledge, not just from the unsaved world of outsiders, , but from even godly Christian people. How many of us bumble along in life just trying to get along? Not realizing what it means to be victorious kings? How do we find out about this?

I’ll tell you how I found out. It was by studying the WORD for myself with the help of good Christian preachers and teachers. Oh, no, I’m not going to start recommending any of them. You have to find them for yourself. But, not to worry, the Holy Spirit is right there inside your spirit to help you. He loves to lead us and guide us to anyone who knows more truth than we do. He also knows just who we will listen to. Jesus said in John 10:27: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” KJV

Sheep, eh? Jesus knew just how dumb we can be. Just how much we need to be led by someone we can trust. One thing about sheep, they have no sense of direction. We hear news stories about a dog or a cat that got left behind at a campground and found its way back home even over hundreds of miles. That is something impossible for a sheep. They can’t find their way across the barnyard without help.

Thank God for our Good Shepherd! Thank God for the great mystery that tells us the “good news” of the gospel, that He goes before us and lets us reign with Him. That no matter how many times we fall or lose our way, He is right there to call to us and lead us back to our rightful place, seated with Him and in Him in heavenly places.

Of course, the world doesn’t get it. It’s too bad that many in the Church don’t get it either. We even say things like, if it’s a mystery, we just can’t understand it. All that means is that our ignorance is showing. We have a shepherd, the Good Shepherd. He knows how to lead us by His Spirit into all truth. (John 14:26.KJV)

Thank You, most gracious Shepherd, that You did not leave us orphans, but sent Your Comforter to lead us into all truth, and give us understanding of all mysteries. Amen.

“The Fruit of Temperance or Self Control Part 3”

Posted by mcoxbmi on July 6, 2026
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Download This Message –>> 241122 Walking in the Ways of the Lord Pt 58 – Temperance Pt 3.MP3

In order to walk a successful Christian Life, walking in the Ways of the Lord, we must have discipline in our lives. Allowing and exercising the Fruit of Temperance or Self-Control to work in our lives will bring Godly discipline to our lives.

Discipline is an important, but often neglected, part of the Christian life. Many broken friendships, and many harsh words come, as a result of not learning how to be temperate.

Too many Christians take the attitude that they cannot control their temper, their thoughts, their emotions, or their actions. This is simply not true.

They are allowing their emotions to control their lives. They are focusing on the wrong thing. They are being Carnally, Fleshly, Worldly Minded instead of being Spiritually Minded.

2nd Corinthians 10: 3 – 5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

(4) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, (5) casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (NKJV)

Galatians 6: 7 – 9  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. (8) For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. (9) And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. (NKJV)

Romans 8: 5 – 8 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. (6) For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. (8) So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (NKJV)

Romans 8: 13  For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (NKJV)

Temperance or Self-Control as a Fruit of the Spirit is the active effort we put forth to resist the temptation to go back to the ways of the world around us once we’ve been shown God’s spiritual way of life. It is demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit instead of committing the works of the flesh.

“THE MYSTERY OF THE KINGDOM”

Posted by mcoxbmi on June 25, 2026
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Mark 4:10-14  “And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? The sower soweth the word.” KJV

Jesus taught the people in parables, stories using metaphors that they would be familiar with to help them understand. And yet, the mass of the people didn’t seem to get it. Thank God He did take the time to explain things to His disciples. It was obvious that they didn’t get it either. And we can see some of the reasons why. Jesus instructed them to preach the kingdom when He sent them out. Matthew 10:7  “And as ye go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”  KJV He also told people , “The kingdom of God (or heaven) was at hand.” (Matthew 3:2, 4:17, and many others.KJV)

The hard part was, the people of Israel dreamed of the day their real king would come. If the kingdom was here, where was the king? They even tried to make Jesus king in John 6:15,  “When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.” KJV

The gospels are full of Jesus’ parables about kings and kingdoms. But Jesus said in Luke 17:20-21  “And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, ‘The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, ‘Lo here! or, lo there!’ for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.’” KJV The very word “gospel” means good news of the announcement of the arrival of a king.

It was one of the hardest things the disciples themselves had to deal with. Matthew 20:20-21 “Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.  And he said unto her, ‘What wilt thou?’ She saith unto him, ‘Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.’”KJV It was enough to make the other disciples angry and jealous. All the way to Jesus’ last day on earth after the resurrection, they still wanted to know, “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6 KJV)

All through the New Testament we encounter the mystery of the kingdom. But we also get the inside information of what the mystery is. Oh, Lord, King of kings, thank You for constant revelation of the mystery of how to live in Your Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven! Amen. 

“The Fruit of Temperance or Self Control Part 2”

Posted by mcoxbmi on June 24, 2026
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Download This Message –>> 241115 Walking in the Ways of the Lord Pt 57 – Temperance Pt 2.MP3

Where does Temperance or Self-Control come in? Everywhere, at all times, and under all circumstances.

Temperance or Self-Control involves the ability to exercise restraint and moderation in various aspects of life, including our thoughts, words, actions, and desires.

Almost every area of our lives involve thoughts in one way or another. We are always thinking a thought or we are receiving a thought that we think on. Our thoughts are involved in our words, actions, and desires both good and bad.

A majority of the problems that we face in our lives comes from our thoughts. We develop mind sets or strongholds allowing our emotions to dominate in our thought life.

The Fruit of Temperance or Self-Control along with the other Fruits the Spirit strengthens us in our inner man so that we can take every thought captive setting our thoughts on being God’s Word minded instead of fleshly worldly minded.

Colossians 3: 1 – 3 IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (2) And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. (3) For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. (Amp. C)

2nd Corinthians 10: 3 – 5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.

(4) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, (5) casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, (NKJV)

“The Fruit of Temperance or Self-Control Part 1”

Posted by mcoxbmi on June 15, 2026
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Download This Message –>> 241108 Walking in the Ways of the Lord Pt 56 – The Fruit of the Spirit – Temperance Pt 1.MP3

Temperance or Self-Control is a Gift from God. One of the Fruits of the Presence of the Holy Spirit within the Believer.

Galatians 5: 22 – 23 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, (23) Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]. (Amp. C)

The Fruit of the Spirit is born into us. It is part of our reborn nature. All of the Fruit of the Spirit are part of our makeup on the inside. Part of our Spiritual DNA.

The scripture teaches us to learn to live from the inside out. To let this New Man, the Reborn Spirit Man, on the inside dominate our life, our body, our words, our thought life and our actions.

The Fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5: 22 – 23 are directly involved in our ability to live from the inside out. The Fruit of Temperance or Self-Control must be exercised and allowed to operate for us to be able to live our lives from the inside out.Temperance or Self-Control involves the ability to exercise restraint and moderation in various aspects of life, including our thoughts, words, and actions. It means being under control, cool, calm, balanced bringing of all of you, under the sovereign control of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 16: 24 – 26 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (25) For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. (26) For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (NKJV)

All of the Fruit of the Spirit function together. Each of the Fruits of the Spirit require the other Fruits in order to function probably. They are connected. When one of them is weak or inoperative it weakens or prevents the other Fruit from functioning.

The Fruit of Temperance or Self-Control is tied directly to the function of the other Fruits.

“The Fruit of the Spirit – Meekness Part 2”

Posted by mcoxbmi on June 8, 2026
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Download This Message –>> 241025 Walking in the Ways of the Lord Pt 55 – The Fruit of the Spirit – Meekness P2 1.MP3

A prideful person is so self-centered that they will have a hard time with walking in the fruit of Meekness or Gentleness. They will have a hard time humbling themselves before God or man.

Meekness, Gentleness, and humility are closely related. They are direct opposites of pride and self-centeredness or selfishness.

Meekness displaces Pride. Pride comes before a fall.

Proverbs 16: 18 – 19   Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. (19) Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud. (NKJV)

James 4: 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” (NKJV)

Psalm 147: 6 The LORD lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground. (NKJV)

James 4: 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. (AMP C)

Meekness opens the door for God’s blessings. Meekness will cause you to walk in the blessings of God.

Meekness will help you walk in the reverential fear of the Lord where there is no want.

Proverbs 22: 4 The reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. (Amp. C)

It takes diligence to walk a Meek, Gentle, and Humble lifestyle.

You must aim at and be diligent for the Fruit of the Spirit to flow in and from your life.

“MYSTERY OF HIS WILL” – Charlene Cox

Posted by mcoxbmi on June 1, 2026
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Ephesians 1:9-10 “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:  That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.” KJV Have you ever wondered what God’s will is? Here it is: complete unity of all existence at the end of time back to like it was in eternity from the beginning.

It takes some meditation to get to the bottom of a concept like this. As a “mystery,” it is God’s own hidden wisdom that He was revealing, first to St. Paul, and now to us. “All things.” “All things. . . in heaven and. . . on earth.” If the language means anything, it seems to include the entire universe of creation. Christ must be awfully big!

I see it as a reflection of the Holy Trinity. Our God is One God in Three Persons. Each Person is completely unique, and yet They are completely One. There is no possible separation. In life on earth, all we see is separation. Science tells us that even the universe is flying apart in all directions.

Is it possible to be in complete unity without losing our individual identity? I believe that is God’s whole point. As each Person of the Holy Trinity has His unique identity, people will still be people, trees will still be trees, stars will still be stars when “all things” are gathered together in one in Christ.

Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” KJV Other translations say that God will guide me with His eye upon me, but I like the King James. He will guide me with His eye. I believe that means He will show me what He sees. I need to see life as God sees it. That’s how He can teach me. It does me no good to live the way I see. That lifestyle would lead me to ultimate selfishness.

Once I asked the Lord to show me what He sees when I was studying the Genesis account of creation. Genesis 1:1-3  “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.  And God said, ‘Let there be light:’ and there was light.” KJV  I always wondered where the darkness came from. He took me to a couple of scriptures that described what was going on in heaven before the darkness, in Ezekiel 28:11-19, and Isaiah 14:9-15.

In these scriptures Lucifer is identified as “the anointed cherub.” He was the leader of all the worship of heaven. But Ezekiel 28:15 says, “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.”KJV Iniquity was found in him. Iniquity is defined as perverseness, wickedness, and evil. In other words, darkness. Where did the darkness come from? It did not originate in God. It was the pride that Lucifer took in himself. He wanted to “ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” in Isaiah 14:14. KJV In Ezekiel 28:17 God tells him, “Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness.” KJV

That darkness was why God could not tolerate Lucifer to remain in heaven. I asked the Lord what He did about it. What He told me changed my whole perspective about what happened next. Heaven was all light and beauty, peace and rejoicing. But then this darkness appeared in the heart of His dearest creation. Think about it. God had never encountered one of His created beings that didn’t love Him, that thought he could be higher that the Most High. The Lord showed me an oyster and asked me, “Where do pearls come from?”

Well, of course they come from oysters, but what causes them to form? Some little, tiny piece of sand or grit gets sucked into it as it feeds. It scratches and cuts the oyster’s flesh so painfully that the oyster must use the only substance it has, the calcium in its own shell to begin to coat the irritant until it is as smooth as the walls of its own house.

God showed me that that was what He had to do. He had to form a capsule around that dark entity and cast it out of heaven. He had to make a place for the devil and his angels. Jesus said in Luke 10:18, “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.” KJV

A creature that didn’t love his Creator? How do we feel when we encounter someone we love deeply who doesn’t return that love? It broke God’s heart. Looking out at that darkness, an offense to the God of love, He told me that He didn’t just say, “Let there be light.” That command was His brokenhearted scream, “Light, be!” He injected His very Self into that darkness! The Holy Spirit brought life to that WORD and creation/time began.

Someone once asked me, “Which do you think we will achieve first, light speed or time travel?” My answer was inspired by the foregoing revelation from God. Even science tells us they are the same thing. I told him that, and then I said, “God is light, and nobody can go faster than God!”

Oh, God of the brokenhearted, teach us how to love You more fully and completely, more reverently and gratefully, in Jesus’ Name, amen.

“The Fruit of Meekness Part 1”

Posted by mcoxbmi on June 1, 2026
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Download This Message –>> 241018 Walking in the Ways of the Lord Part 54 – The Fruit of the Spirit Meekness Pt 1.MP3

Galatians 5: 22 – 26  But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, (23) Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]. (AMP C)

Ephesians 4: 1 – 3 I THEREFORE, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to and beg you to walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God’s service, (2) Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another. (3) Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of [and produced by] the Spirit in the binding power of peace. (AMP C)

Meekness, Gentleness, and humility are closely related.

Philippians 2: 2 – 5 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, (2) fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. (3) Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (4) Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. (5) Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, (NKJV)

Meekness to us sounds like someone who is weak with their head held down and will not look you in the eye.

But Bible Meekness, the Fruit of the Spirit Meekness refers to a person who is strong yet has the capacity to be gentle, loving and mild when dealing with others. It’s not a weakness but a power to be gentle.

A prideful or self-centered person will have a hard time with walking in the fruit of Meekness or Gentleness.

Meekness displaces Pride. Pride comes before a fall.

Proverbs 29: 23 A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor. (NKJV)

Proverbs 16: 18 – 19   Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. (19) Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud. (NKJV)

A prideful person is so self-centered that they have a hard time humbling themselves before God or man.

“MYSTERY OF UNITY” – Charlene Cox

Posted by mcoxbmi on May 25, 2026
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The word “mystery” is used in the New Testament twenty-two times, seventeen times in St. Paul’s letters alone. Each time it is explained, especially in St. Paul’s writings, so is a mystery really something that we can’t understand? One of the definitions of the word is “information known only to the initiated.” It’s like the secret password or knock, unknown to outsiders.

We, the born-again children of God in Christ Jesus, are the insiders! Every mystery can be known by us. In Mark 4:11, Jesus said, “Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:” KJV The mystery He was talking about here was that the seed sown is the WORD of God. He describes what happens to it. A lot of times we are puzzled about why people don’t pick up on the good news of the Gospel. So He explains what can interfere with people’s understanding and acceptance of it.

The entire first two chapters of First Corinthians tells of the hidden wisdom of God that is made known to us. 1 Corinthians 2:7  “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:” KJV Then he says in 1 Corinthians 2:16  “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”  KJV How cool is that?

Six times in the six chapters of the letter to the Ephesians St. Paul instructs us in the mysteries of God’s plan for mankind. The hardest one of all that caused the most trouble for him is found in Ephesians 3:1-6  “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:” KJV

St. Paul got his information directly from God Himself by the Holy Spirit. Unity of Jews and Gentiles went against all the history and culture of the chosen people. They were supposed to avoid all contact with them. Such unity could only be known through revelation. In the book of Acts chapter 10, St. Peter had a vision. 10:28  “And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”KJV

What a great wonder and glory to God that He gives us such a direct line into His heart of love! It takes revelation from God Himself to break in on our hard headed determination to be separated from one another. St. Paul said in Galatians 3:26-29, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ; there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” KJV

Male nor female? Really? Wow. God takes unity seriously. Heavenly Father, teach us by Your WORD and Your revelation that such a mystery can be known and put into practice by us Your Church. Our unity is the only way the world will know and recognize that You have sent Your Son: John 17:21  “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” KJV Amen.

“Jesus – Our Faithful High Priest”

Posted by mcoxbmi on May 25, 2026
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Download This Message –>> 240830 Walking in the Ways of the Lord Part 53 – Jesus – Our Faithful High Priest.MP3

Jesus laid down His Life for us because He was Faithful.

Hebrews 3: 1 – 2 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, (2) who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. (NKJV)

John 8: 29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.“ (NKJV)

Hebrews 2: 17 – 18 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. (18) For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. (NKJV)

Romans 5: 8 – 11 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (9) Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. (10) For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (11) And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. (NKJV)

Jesus Our High Priest Who Is seated at the right hand of the Father God is continually making intercession for us.

1st Timothy 2: 4 – 6  who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (5) For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, (6) who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, (NKJV)

“CHARITY – Agape Love”

Posted by mcoxbmi on May 15, 2026
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2 Peter 1:7b  “. . . and to brotherly kindness charity.” KJV Charity. Here is the Greek word that describes the highest form of love, agape. It is the kind of love that is God Himself. Translated as “love” in all other bibles, the King James uses the word “charity.” Because charity is most understood as a selfless gift, the KJV used another Greek word, “charis.” Charis means “gift,” and “grace.” Charity is a gift that does not expect a return. No strings attached.

Whenever the word “grace” is used, the Amplified translation also adds, “unmerited favor,” a gift that can’t be earned. It is the last brick to go into our wall:

Charity

brotherly kindness brotherly kindness

godliness godliness godliness

patience patience patience patience

Self-control self-control self-control self-control self-control

Knowledge knowledge knowledge knowledge knowledge knowledge

Virtue virtue virtue virtue virtue virtue virtue virtue virtue virtue virtue virtue

Faith faith faith faith faith faith faith faith faith faith faith faith faith faith faith faith faith faith

Without all the previous bricks, agape/love has nothing to stand on. But with them, agape/love is the most reasonable and natural result. Do we need a new definition of love? Jesus Himself said in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” KJV The first letter of St. John also says, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren”(I John 3:16 KJV).  Is that what we are learning about the selfless, no-strings-attached, no-return-expected kind of love?

Charity doesn’t just mean sending used clothes and money to poor children on the other side of the world. We’ve got to use our faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness and brotherly kindness to find out what real agape/love is. That can only come from studying and becoming familiar with the WORD. The living WORD of God. We just can’t find it in the world. There are lots of loving people out there. But are they loving with the true, perfect, laying-down-their-lives kind of love? The God kind?

In order to learn what agape/love really is, we need to study how God Himself showed us His love. It started in the beginning, ‘way back in Genesis. When there was nothing but darkness, God, Who is light, injected Himself into it. All creation followed. By the time He finished the Garden of Eden, everything was perfect for the people who were on their way. Alas, when our first parents disobeyed Him, that state of perfection ended. But God was ready right there with the Answer, the One Who was to come.

Jesus didn’t come to pass a law. He didn’t hold a meeting to establish a new policy. HE DIED. That was God’s Answer, TO LAY DOWN HIS LIFE. Unbeknownst to Satan, God knew that Jesus would rise again!

1 Corinthians 2:7-8  “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:  Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” KJV 

That’s what laying down our lives gets us: RESURRECTION! Maybe not in this life, but we can live in that resurrection life of agape/love with the grace of God as our back-up. Who knew? Certainly not the devil. It was a MYSTERY. The dictionary definition of mystery is “information known only to the initiated.” That’s us! Being born again is our initiation into the resurrection life of Jesus! That’s what the book of Romans is all about.

Thank You, Oh Most Gracious Heavenly Father, that You showed us how to lay down our lives just the way Jesus Your Beloved Son did. He said in John 10:18: “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” KJV Amen.

“The Fruit of Faithfulness Part 3”

Posted by mcoxbmi on May 15, 2026
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Download This Message –>> 240809 Walking in the Ways of the Lord Pt 52. – The Fruit of Faithfulness Pt 3.MP3

It is abnormal for a Born-Again Christian to be unfaithful.

A Faithful person is also a person of honor. They can be depended upon. They are steadfast and consistent. They are faithful, honorable, trustworthy, and can be depended upon even when doing a job that they do not like or want to do.

Matthew 21: 28 – 31 What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He came to the first and said, Son, go and work today in the vineyard.(29) And he answered, I will not; but afterward he changed his mind and went.(30) Then the man came to the second and said the same [thing]. And he replied, I will [go], sir; but he did not go.(31) Which of the two did the will of the father? They replied, The first one. Jesus said to them, Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the harlots will get into the kingdom of heaven before you. (NKJV)

Being Faithful is to be trustworthy and dependable. A faithful person will be a person who is faithful to their word.

A faithful person is a loyal person. A faithful person can be trusted. They can be trusted even when you can’t see them.

The Faithful Servant

Matthew 24: 45 – 47 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? (46) Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. (47) Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. (NKJV)

Daniel and Joseph are examples of the blessings of the Lord on a wise and faithful servant.

The Unfaithful Servant

Matthew 24: 48 – 51 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’(49) and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, (50) the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, (51) and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (NKJV)

We are to be faithful all the days of our life even unto death.

Revelation 2: 10  Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (NKJV)

 

“BROTHERLY KINDNESS OR AFFECTION”

Posted by mcoxbmi on May 8, 2026
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2 Peter 1:7  “And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.” KJV In the Greek language of the Bible, there are a couple of words that we translate as our word “love.” The one we are concerned with here is “phileo.” It means to show kindness, good will, and affection to our fellow Christians. In the list of attributes we have been diligently adding to our faith, we’ve turned a corner. We are no longer putting in bricks that affect only ourselves. We are now reaching out to others with kindness and affection.

Living in godliness is a sure cure for selfishness. It’s time to get out of the classroom and into the real world. There are people out there! We want them to be nice to us! Are we learning to be nice to them? If we have truly been studying the WORD, we’ve come across places where Jesus has told us to “love one another” as He has loved us. (John 15:12 “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” KJV),

That, however, is not the Greek word “phileo.” That Greek word is “agape,” and it is the subject of our next meditation. The phileo aspect is an everyday word. It means mostly to be able to get along with people, specifically the ones we are in most contact with. It can extend to those we meet in the job, the marketplace, school, etc. It pretty much applies to everyone that we do not have a long-standing, more intimate relationship with.

And yet, it is a part of our growing up to maturity in our Christian life. We need it and achieve it as a fruit of our virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience and godliness. We want a reputation for being able to reach our goals in life. We want people to smile, not run, when they see us coming. To do that, we have to have all the other bricks in place.

Is it a hard thing? Is this what people mean when they say how hard it is to be a Christian? Is it just keeping ourselves from sin, or does it have to do with wanting to do things our own way? Does it represent a crossover point of dealing with others, even others we love? When was the last time we saw someone coming and wanted to run instead of smile?

It’s time to bite the bullet. It’s time to decide if we want this Christian life and lifestyle to be real. After all, what are we working on this wall for? Did we mean it when we started that patience level? And the self-control before that? Even non-Christians have a certain amount of will-power to be able to handle themselves and get along in life.

We are wanting to be good at this thing. We have the advantage the world does not have. It’s called the grace of God. Without that grace, which the Amplified translation calls, “[that merciful kindness by which God exerts His holy influence on souls and turns them to Christ, keeping and strengthening them-“(II Corinthians 6:1 Amplified Classic), there is no real power in ourselves for what we want to do. Try as we might, it just doesn’t last till the next challenge.

Father, thank You so much for Your precious grace. How desperately we need Your “holy influence” to keep us trying and learning and working, especially with our brothers and sisters. Thank You for the big picture of our unity in the faith. Amen.

“The Fruit of Faithfulness Part 2”

Posted by mcoxbmi on May 6, 2026
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Download This Message –>> 240802 Walking in the Ways of the Lord Pt 51 – The Fruit of Faithfulness Part 2.MP3

God Is Faithful. He Is always continuously faithful to His word. He cannot deny Himself.

A Born-Again Christian walking in the Ways of the Lord will be faithful to God and His Word and in all that they do.

It is abnormal for a Born-Again Christian to be unfaithful.

A Faithful person is also a person of honor. They can be depended upon. They are steadfast and consistent. They are faithful, honorable, trustworthy, and can be depended upon even when doing a job that they do not like or want to do.

Luke 16: 10 – 13 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. (11) Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? (12) And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? (NKJV)

You cannot get anywhere in your Spiritual life without being faithful to God and His Living Word.

Faithfulness to God necessitates faithfulness to men.

God puts His Faithfulness in us so that we can be Faithful to Him. The trait of faithfulness will work in every area of our lives.

If the Fruit of faithfulness is operating in our lives it will make us a dependable and trustworthy person in every area of our lives. Faithfulness will cause us to be a diligent person.

When a person walks in Faithfulness other people think highly of that person.

Even when you are not present your faithfulness will be evident. People will notice it. Your faithfulness will follow wherever you go.

Proverbs 28: 20  A faithful man will abound with blessings, (NKJV)

Your faithfulness has everything to do with your increase in every area of life.

A person who is faithful will be diligent. Diligence that comes from faithfulness will cause you to excel and to be promoted.

The Christian Life is to manifest itself in the faithful discharge of all duties and the honest handling of all things committed to it.

Being Faithful is to be trustworthy and dependable. You will be a person who is faithful to your word.

Colossians 3: 17  And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (NKJV)

A faithful person is a loyal person. A faithful person can be trusted. They can be trusted even when you can’t see them.

 

“the Fruit of Faithfulness Part 1”

Posted by mcoxbmi on May 4, 2026
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Download This Message –>> 240726 Walking in the Ways of the Lord Pt 50 – The Fruit of Faithfulness Pt 1.MP3

A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is committed to and is diligently walking the Love-Walk developing the Fruit of the Spirit in every area of their lives. They are Faithful to God and His Living Word. They walk a life of Faith anchored in God’s Living Word.

Galatians 5:22 – 23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (NKJV)

Like all the Fruit of the Spirit, Faithfulness flows out of Love. Faithfulness like all the Fruit of the Spirit require the other Fruits to flow in fullness. They draw on one another.

The fruit of the Spirit does not come from a natural source. It comes from God. The Fruit of Faithfulness is the kind of Faithfulness that God has. If we are Born-Again His Faithfulness is in us.

Faith and Faithfulness both come from the same Greek Word πίστις pistis. It can be translated either or both ways.

Faithfulness is the result of our Faith. Faithfulness enables us to be faithful to God and to man.

It is abnormal for a Born-Again Christian to be unfaithful.

Faith is Faithfulness to God’s Word. Faith is a Spiritual force. Faith comes from God. God and His Word are One! John 1: 1. A Born-Again Christian walking in the Ways of the Lord will be faithful to God and His Word.

God Is Faithful. He Is always continuously faithful to His word. He cannot deny Himself.

2nd Timothy 2: 11 – 13 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him.(12) If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.(13) If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. (NKJV)

Deuteronomy 7: 9 “Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; (NKJV)

Psalm 31: 23 – 24 Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For the LORD preserves the faithful, and fully repays the proud person. (24) Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD. (NKJV)

Psalm 119: 89 – 90 Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. (90) Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides. (NKJV)

Psalm 100: 5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. (NKJV)

1st Corinthians 1: 9 God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (AMP C)

That is exactly the way that we should be living our lives. This is what we should be showing to the World around us.

“Goodness”

Posted by mcoxbmi on May 2, 2026
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2 Peter 1:6  “And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness.” KJV For godliness, other translations say piety. Strong’s defines piety as holiness. The way it is used in other places seems to mean that godliness is religion. We might have to look at it from the other side, ungodliness. We can sure figure out what that is.

Basically piety, holiness, godliness means to be holy like God. If we are supposed to add this to our patience, it gives us a whole new attitude and motivation. We want to be just like God. Is it possible? After we work on all the previous attributes, our being like God is bound to start showing. There are certainly people in the world who are patient, loving and kind, but it takes more. It takes the knowledge and excellence of Jesus Christ that we are learning to live by.

St. Paul says in Second Corinthians 7:1, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” KJV Perfecting holiness. There are groups of Christians that call themselves “holiness.” Living a holy life according to some of them means rules that fall mainly on the female adherents, including the wearing of dresses instead of pants, long hair (some have never cut their hair in their lives), and not wearing makeup and jewelry. Some of them forbid the men to wear rings, neck chains, tie pins and watches.

They certainly stand out in the world around us. And they have scriptures to back them up. But without judging or criticizing, and with all due respect, does it keep them from sinning? “Perfecting holiness,” like St. Paul speaks of, has to be built on the fruits of the Spirit. We also define holiness as being set apart for service to God. Whatever we do or try to do according to the will of God, we want to clean up our lives from “all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.” We have heard that “cleanliness is next to godliness.”

We can also work so hard at not doing ungodly things that we forget all about just being godly. We can get bogged down in our focus at avoiding the ungodly actions that we don’t relax and just let the holiness flow by the Holy Spirit. We need to add some more virtue and knowledge bricks to our wall. Before long we will see the change. We will reap the harvest of godliness as our self-control and patience increases. It all flows and grows together.

1 Peter 1:15-16  “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” KJV He also says in the Amplified version, First Peter 2:4-5  “Come to Him [then, to that] Living Stone which men tried and threw away, but which is chosen [and] precious in God’s sight. [Psa_118:22; Isa_28:16]  [Come] and, like living stones, be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. “(Amplified Classic)

Other people’s walls are also growing and will meet up with our own. We want to give “all diligence” to make our wall straight and strong, and give support to those around us. We are the “living stones” being built into the spiritual temple of God. Thank You, holy Lord, for keeping us strong as we strive to take our place in the house You are building for Yourself. We want to do our part in the place You have chosen for us and be just like You. Amen.

“Faith vs Fear Part 3”

Posted by mcoxbmi on May 2, 2026
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Download This Message –>> 240719 Walking in the Ways of the Lord Pt 49 – Faith vs Fear Pt 3.MP3

2nd Timothy 1: 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJV)

(Amplified Classic) [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

Faith is always applied in the now to the Word not the circumstance or problem.

Fear is always applied in the now to the circumstance or problem.

Faith works with Hope. Fear works with Worry.

Hope is always future. Worry is always focused on the future. Both Hope and Worry operate in the future.

Faith and Hope work together bringing forth manifestation.

Fear and worry work together bringing forth manifestation.

Hebrews 11: 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (NKJV)

Faith applied to God’s Word and acted upon becomes Hope (Absolute Earnest Expectation) leading to the manifestation of the desired results Hoped for.

Fear applied to Satan’s deceptions and acted upon becomes Worry. Worry then becomes doubt and unbelief leading to the manifestation of what was feared.

Faith works by Love. Our Love Walk is vital to our Faith.

Galatians 5: 6b… faith which worketh by love. (KJV)

(NKJV) faith working through love. 

Faith comes by hearing God’s Living Word.

Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (NKJV)

Fear also comes by hearing. Hearing the words of Satan and the world.

Once Faith comes it is then developed through meditating and acting on God’s Living Word which is Absolute Truth.

Faith is applied by speaking of things that are not as though they were.

Fear is also applied by speaking of things that are not as though they were.

Faith applied to the abiding Word in the heart of the believer brings forth Life.

Proverbs. 4: 20 – 23 My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings. (21) Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart. (22) For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh. (23) Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. (Amp C)

Fear applied to Satan’s Lies and deceptions bring forth death.

 

“PATIENCE”

Posted by mcoxbmi on April 29, 2026
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Ah, patience. The one thing we seem to need more than anything else. Do we really want it? Why do we have to wait for anything? Why does everything take so long? St. Peter says to add it to our temperance. Isn’t it the same thing? Of course, it would be impossible to have patience without some self-control. But I need faith, virtue, knowledge and temperance in place, before I even have a place to add patience.

Once I have the virtue, knowledge and temperance in place on my firm foundation of faith, patience should fit right in. Maybe. I need the virtue: excellence, resolution, and Christian energy to know what to do with the knowledge. I need the knowledge to be able to understand why I need temperance. And without those things, patience wouldn’t have anything to stand on. I may have the self-control to hold my temper, but I would end up pretty miserable before I got good at patience.

St. Paul puts patience in his list of spiritual fruits in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].”  That’s the Amplified Classic version. It defines patience as an even temper, forbearance. The King James calls it “long suffering!”

It’s long suffering all right! But as a fruit of the Holy Spirit that His presence within is accomplishing, that means it is already inside us as a fruit seed. If we learn to exercise it, it will grow. Not only will we notice the difference it makes in ourselves, other people will take notice of it. Won’t they be surprised! In our instant gratification society where we want everything done for us yesterday, we will stand out like a sore thumb!

All these things help us in our daily lives. But just like the spiritual gifts in I Corinthians 12, they are for other people. Christianity is a life of service. These attributes aren’t just for ourselves. They work on us and through us to serve. In serving others we serve Jesus Himself. He said so in Matthew 25. And we can’t forget that as we build our wall, there are people building walls on either side of us. When we meet up, we want our wall to be straight, strong and level.

So we suffer a little. Maybe a lot. But it says in Romans 5: 1-5: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;  And patience, experience; and experience, hope:  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (KJV)

Tribulations? Ugh. People say, “Don’t pray for patience, you will get trouble.” What you will get is the opportunity to exercise patience. Trouble is out there. It is worse some days than others. But praying for patience isn’t how to get it. It is already there in our spirits from the Holy Spirit Himself. What we need to do is exercise it like St. Peter says. Exercise what we have to develop what we need.

Thank You, glorious Lord, for Your own precious example of how patiently You endured Your entire life and death. We will never suffer as bad as You did. According to Matthew 25, it is You who patiently wait for us to serve You by serving others. As St. Paul says, we are patiently running the race to win the prize of life everlasting (Hebrews 12:1 KJV). Amen.

“Faith vs Fear Part 2”

Posted by mcoxbmi on April 29, 2026
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Download This Message –>> 240712 – Walking in the Ways of the Lord Pt 48 – Faith vs Fear Part 2.MP3

To a person who knows Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, Faith which works by Love, is a natural normal way of life. A believer who does not walk the Love Walk and live by faith they are abnormal.

2nd Timothy 1: 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (NKJV)

(Amplified Classic) [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

Romans 1: 17b… “THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” (NKJV)

Because we have been Justified by Faith (Romans 5: 1 – 2) we shall live by Faith.

Romans 5: 1 – 2 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (2) through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (NKJV)

1st John 4: 15 – 18 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. (16) And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. (17) Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. (18) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. (NKJV)

To a person who does not know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, Fear is a natural normal way of life.

1st John 4: 7 – 8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. (8) He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (NKJV)

Jesus is the Author and Developer of our faith.

Hebrews. 12: 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (NKJV)

Satan is the Author and Developer of Fear.

Satan is Hate and Fear the way that God Is Love and Faith.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for.

Hebrews 11: 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (NKJV)

Fear is the substance of things not desired.

Faith is an action word.

James 1: 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (NKJV)

James 2: 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (NKJV)

Fear is also an action word. When you act on fear it will produce what you are fearing.

Faith acted on produces the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus.

Fear acted on produces the law of sin and death.

“TEMPERANCE or Self-Control”

Posted by mcoxbmi on April 24, 2026
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Second Peter 1:6 tells us that to our knowledge we should add temperance. Temperance means self-control. Is that really necessary when we already have some virtue bricks in place? If we are going to have any self-control, we need to have a lot of virtue, excellence, Christian energy and resolution first. Then we can build our knowledge base in order to know what self-control is. It takes both virtue and knowledge to teach us about self-control, and even give us a reason to practice it.

I’ve seen people who seemed excellent to me and seemed to have lots of knowledge. But there was something about them that was sort of unpredictable. Or they had some really bad habits. In Galatians 5:23, temperance or self-control is the last thing in St. Paul’s list of fruit of the Spirit. Since he considers it a fruit of the Spirit, we believe that the kernel of it is already present in us as soon as we receive the Holy Spirit at salvation. That is when the Holy Spirit plants His little tiny fruits in us. It is up to us then to make then grow through practice.

That is the point that St. Peter is making when he says to “add” each attribute to the ones he listed before. We have to start someplace. Learning to live the Christian life isn’t all faith. It isn’t all knowledge. It includes “tempering” our lives through experience. It is using our Christian energy (virtue) and the wisdom and understanding we are finding in the WORD about Jesus and His life (knowledge) to begin to control our thoughts, our impulses, our conversation.

It’s not something that is impossible. As we build these bricks into our wall, the Holy Spirit is there to catch us when we waver. If we have spent our lives in anger and bad temperament, it will show pretty quickly what we need to work on. Once we have the grace and influence of the Holy Spirit and God’s WORD working in our lives, as well as increasing in virtue and knowledge, we will begin to catch ourselves when the heat is on. We can get to the place where we see the importance of controlling our mouths, our temptation to lash out physically, our temptation to run away and hide.

We will also see the benefits of treating others kindly when they are being mean or ignorant. We will restrain ourselves from turning that stubborn project into a pile of smoking ruins. We will “stop, drop and roll” when the “fiery trials” of life try to consume us. (1 Peter 4:12 KJV)

It doesn’t happen all at once. It is a journey. We can look back and see how far we have come. Even if it seems like we will never make it, we are better now than we were. Believe me, the people in our lives will notice! They won’t have to walk on eggshells around us anymore.

It is a journey, a journey into peace. As we sow peaceful seeds, we will reap and enjoy a peaceful harvest. There is no substitute. The solution to anger management? Temperance. The cure for ulcers and high blood pressure? Temperance. The cure for lust and the sins that so easily beset us? You guessed it. Temperance.

We might have to do like Jesus did in John chapter 8, bend down and write on the ground while we plan our next move. While we pray and wait, like He did, waiting for His Father’s instructions. But the difference in our lives will show. And we have the help of the Holy Spirit to make us strong. Oh, thank You, Lord, that we can be strong in You and in the power of Your might. Thank You for the faith, virtue and knowledge along the way. Amen.