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 – 19Pride 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: 6But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” (NKJV)
Psalm 147: 6The 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: 4The 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.
Galatians 5: 22 – 26But 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: 23A man’s pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor. (NKJV)
Proverbs 16: 18 – 19Pride 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.
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 – 11But 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 – 6who 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)
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: 10Do 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)
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 – 13He 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: 20A 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: 17And 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.
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 – 13This 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 – 24Oh, 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 – 90Forever, 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: 5For 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.
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: 1Nowfaithisthe substanceof 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.
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 – 2Therefore, 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: 2looking 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: 1Nowfaithisthe substanceof 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: 17Thus 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.
Real Faith is at rest, anchored, and steadfast in the absolute Truth of God’s Living Word.
When we have unforgiveness, worry, fear, and strife working in your life we are never at rest.
For us to properly understand Faith, it is necessary for us to understand what Fear is and how it works.
You cannot walk in Faith and Fear, or Love and Fear, at the same time.
Satan cannot do anything to us apart from fear, any more than God can do something for us apart from faith.
1st John 5: 18b… he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. (NKJV)
Love, The Living Word, and Faith are involved in everything that God does.
Fear, worry, deception, and strife are the Satan’s big guns, his big weapons. They are involved in everything that he does.
All fear is self-centered. It always focuses on self. Love is others centered. It always focuses on others.
Whenever our focus is on ourselves rather than others, we have the foundation necessary to produce iniquity and sin. That foundation of iniquity and sin opens the door for fear to function and rule.
Faith moves God because faith is in God. Fear moves Satan because fear is in Satan.
Fear does not come from God. There is no fear in God for God Is Love. Fear comes from Satan for Satan is Fear.
1st John 4: 16…God is love(NKJV)
1st John 4: 18…There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear (NKJV)
Isaiah. 54: 14 – 15 In righteousness you shall be established; You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; And from terror, for it shall not come near you. (15)Indeed they shall surely assemble, butnot because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake. (NKJV)
Love and Fear cannot exist together. They are direct opposites.
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)
Our faith applied to the Living Word that activates the Word.
Once that Word is activated by our Faith applied to the Word we must maintain our Faith in that Word.
Since Faith can only work in the now moment both Patience and Hope are both vital to maintaining our Faith in the Word.
Hebrews 11: 1 NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. (AMP C)
Faith is applied to the Word, not to the circumstance or desired result.
Our Faith and Hope applied to the Word work together along with Patience to bring forth the desired result.
James 1: 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.(NKJV)
Mark 11: 22 – 26 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. (23)For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. (24)Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. (25)“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you yourtrespasses. (26)But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” (NKJV)
(***AMP C)Mark 11: 25 – 26 And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop.(26)But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your failings and shortcomings (AMP C)
Faith works by Love. You cannot walk in Love and unforgiveness, worry, fear, and strife at the same time.
Love and Faith are Spiritual forces. Unforgiveness, worry, fear, and strife are carnal or fleshly.
You and only you choose which one you are walking in. When you choose unforgiveness, worry, fear, and strife instead of Love your Faith will not work.
Real Faith is at rest, anchored, and steadfast in the absolute Truth of God’s Living Word.
When you have unforgiveness, worry, fear, and strife working in your life you are never at rest.
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.
The Bible definition for Faith is found in Hebrews 11: 1.
Hebrews 11: 1 NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. (AMP C)
Faith is always now. Faith can only work in the now. Faith cannot work in the future. Hope works only in the future as a blueprint and guide for our now faith.
Faith and hope are both anchored in God’s Word. Faith and Hope work together along with Patience. All work by Love.
Faith is a Heart Condition
When Faith, Patience, and Hope all meet in a now moment you have manifestation.
God’s Word is absolute truth ** It is whether I believe it or not. It is absolute truth!
** John 17: 17 Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth. (Amp. C)
Faith applied to the absolute truth of God’s Word always brings results.
Ephesians 3: 20Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (NKJV)
Mark 9: 22 – 23 And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us. (23)” Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”(NKJV)
Matthew 17: 19 – 20 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” (20)So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. (NKJV)
The now faith of the people was involved in the miracles that Jesus did. Your Faith has made you whole. Be it unto you according to your faith.
It is still the same today. Our now faith is also involved.
Matthew 7: 7 – 8 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (8)For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (NKJV)
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)
The NKJV Bible lists one of the Fruits of the Spirit as Faithfulness. Other translations list the Fruit as Faith. Amp, Amp C, American Standard, NKJV, NIV, The Living Bible all translate the Greek word as Faithfulness.
KJV, Modern KJV, The Passion Translation, and Youngs Literal Translation translates the Greek word as Faith.
The Weymouth Translation translates the Greek word as Benevolence.
The Greek word used in this verse is –πίστις pistis
The New Strong’s Expanded Dictionary of Bible Wordssays, “Pistis is used of belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same.
‘Faith’ means trust, confidence, assurance, and belief”
Websters Dictionary: FA’ITHFULNESS, n.
1. Fidelity; loyalty; firm adherence to allegiance and duty;
2.Truth; veracity; as the faithfulness of God.
3. Strict adherence to injunctions, and to the duties of a station; as the faithfulness of servants or ministers.
4. Strict performance of promises, vows or covenants; constancy in affection; as the faithfulness of a husband or wife.
Faith and Faithfulness are both the Ways or Nature of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. They are both Fruits of the Spirit.
We will be studying both Faith and Faithfulness. First we will study Faith since according to Hebrews 11: 6 it is impossible to please God without Faith.
Hebrews 11: 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (NKJV)
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)
The Bible defines pistis inHebrews 11: 1.
Hebrews 11: 1 NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. (AMP C)
Faith is always now. Faith can only work in the now. Faith cannot work in the future. Hope works only in the future as a blueprint and guide for our now faith.
Faith and hope are both anchored in God’s Word. Faith and Hope work together along with Patient. All work by Love.
Galatians 5:6For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love. (Amp. C)
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 habitually others centered. The fruit of Goodness is a habitual lifestyle for this person.
Walking the Love Walk is walking in the Goodness of God
1st Corinthians 13: 4 – 8aLove endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. (5)It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. (6)It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. (7)Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. (8a)Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end].(Amplified Classic)
A person that is not walking in the ways of the Lord or not walking the Love Walk:
They will not Endure Long
They will not be Patient and Kind
They will be envious and boil over with jealousy.
They will be boastful or vain glorious.
They will display themselves haughtily.
They will be conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride
They will be rude (unmannerly) and will act unbecomingly.
They will insist on their own rights or their own way for they are self-seeking.
They will be touchy, fretful, and resentful.
They will take account of the evil done to them [they pay attention to every suffered wrong
They will rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, they do not rejoice when right and truth
prevail.
They will not bear up under anything and everything that comes.
They will notbelieve the best of every person.
Their hopes will fade under all circumstances.
They will not endure anything without weakening.
Their Love will always fail, will always fade out, will become obsolete, and will come to an end.
1st John 4: 7 – 11Beloved, 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. (9) In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. (10) In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (11) Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (NKJV)
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 habitually others centered. The fruit of Goodness is a habitual lifestyle for this person.
Scripture says to be imitators of God. God IS Love, We Are Love. God IS Good, we are good.We have been created by God’s goodness, as a reflection of his goodness, to do good.
When we are walking in the steps of a good man, we are reflecting the Goodness of God by being imitators of GodEphesians 5: 1 – 2
Ephesians 5: 1 – 2 THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. (2) And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance. (AMP C)
God has already prepared us to walk in the steps of a good man.
Romans 8: 29For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren. (AMP C)
Proverbs 4:18 – 19shows us the difference in the walk of a person who is a good man or an uncompromisingly righteous man and a man or person who is not.
Proverbs 4:18 – 19But the path of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more (brighter and clearer) until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day [to be prepared]. (19) The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble. (AMP C)
Proverbs 4: 20 – 27 and Proverbs 3: 1 – 10 list some keys to walking in the steps of a good man.
Proverbs 4: 20 – 27 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. (24) Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you. (25) Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you. (26) Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright. (27) Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil. (AMP C)
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 habitually others centered. The fruit of Goodness is a habitual lifestyle for this person.
Everything good comes from God.
James 1: 17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (NKJV)
God is good, does good, and gives good gifts to his children.
John 1: 16For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift. (AMP C)
Matthew 7: 11If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (NKJV)
Luke 11: 13If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (NKJV)
Romans 8: 31 – 32 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (32) He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (NKJV)
With the Holy Spirit we have all things that pertain to life and Godliness dwelling in us through the knowledge of God by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
2nd Peter 1: 2 – 4 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, (3) as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, (4) by which have been givento us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (NKJV)
Philippians 4: 19And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (NKJV)
He fills our hungry souls with good things.
Psalm 107: 8 – 9 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! (9) For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness. (NKJV)
Psalm 34: 8 – 10 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (9) Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. (10) The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. (NKJV)
Matthew 6: 33But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. (AMP C)
Part of the seeking process is to meditate on the Word as we discussed earlier inJoshua 1: 8 and Psalm 1.
God Created us for Goodness.
Ephesians 2: 8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (9) not of works, lest anyone should boast. (10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (NKJV)
Psalm 31: 19Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men! (NKJV)
Psalm 23: 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. (NKJV) (Psalm 27: 4)
1st John 4: 15 – 16Whoever 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. (NKJV)
Psalm 37: 23 – 24The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way. (24) Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand. (NKJV)
Joshua was a good man. His steps were ordered by the Lord. God told Joshua what to do in order to walk in the ways of the Lord.
Joshua 1: 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (NKJV)
Let’s back up a couple of verses to see what God told Joshua to do in order to be strong and of good courage so that he would be able to walk in the steps that were ordered by the Lord.
Joshua 1: 7 – 8Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. (8) This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (NKJV)
If Joshua did not do his part, then even though his steps were ordered by the Lord, Joshua would not have had success.
Whether or not Joshua had success depended on Joshua doing his part. God had already made the provision. Joshua had to do his part in order for that provision to be unlocked.
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 habitually others centered. The fruit of Goodness is a habitual lifestyle for this person.
Psalm 145: 8 – 9The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and abounding in mercy and loving-kindness. (9) The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works [the entirety of things created].(AMP C)
Psalm 100: 5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. (NKJV) – also Psalm 106: 1; Psalm 107: 1; 1st Chronicles 16: 34
The Lord Is the same yesterday, today, and forever, so His Goodness, Loving-Kindness, and Mercy are everlasting to all generations.
Hebrews 13: 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (NKJV)
Because God IS Love and He Is the same yesterday, today, and forever, in His Goodness, by Grace, He poured out His abundant everlasting Love and Mercy toward all Mankind.
Ephesians 2: 4 – 6 But God–so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, (5) Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation). (6) And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One). (AMP C)
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 habitually others centered. The fruit of Goodness is a habitual lifestyle for this person.
Walking in the Fruit of the Spirit is a normal natural way for a Born-Again person to live. It should be habitual. Any other way of life is abnormal for the Born-Again person.
The Bible calls this person a Good Man.
Proverbs 12: 2A good man obtains favor from the LORD, But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn. (NKJV)
Psalm 37: 23The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way. (NKJV)
Matthew 12: 35The good man from his inner good treasure flings forth good things, and the evil man out of his inner evil storehouse flings forth evil things. (AMP C)
“God is good all the time,” and …. “All the time God is good.” There never is a time when God is not good.
People frequently accuse God of doing many things that are not good. Whether from misunderstanding, misplaced blame, or an instinctual response to suffering, humanity tends to miss God’s goodness and see only the brokenness and pain they think he ignores or causes.
God IS Love therefore God IS Good! God is never your problem.
1st John 4: 7 – 8Beloved, 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)
Recognizing God’s essential goodness is foundational to an accurate understanding of God’s nature, God’s work in the world, and God’s plans for humanity.
Recognizing or not recognizing the Goodness of God will affect your Faith, your very life, and your Eternity.
Because God is good, God will always act in alignment with his character. That means, God will always act with goodness in ways that make us better, strengthen us, heals us and restore us.
The Bible repeatedly proclaims that God is good. God’s goodness is abundant.
Psalm 145: 8 – 9The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and abounding in mercy and loving-kindness. (9) The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works [the entirety of things created].(AMP C)
Kindness, as well as all of the Fruits of the Spirit, are desperately needed in the dark world of today.
The lifestyle of the Fruit of the Spirit in the life of the believer is a light to a dark world.
Every believer should be and is responsible for bearing the Fruit of the Spirit as a lifestyle. This hurting world must see this fruit in operation in the lives of the believers.
1st Thessalonians 5: 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. (NKJV)
Matthew 5: 14 – 16“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. (15) Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (NKJV)
Ephesians 5: 8 – 10For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (9) (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), (10) finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. (NKJV)
Philippians 2: 12b …work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; (13) for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (14) Do all things without complaining and disputing, (15) that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, (NKJV)
Ephesians 4: 17 – 18This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, (18) having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; (NKJV)
The Loving-Kindness and Tender Mercy of God is calling out to a dark and hurting World. His Heart cry to this dark World Is:
Matthew 11: 28 – 30Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.](29) Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. (30) For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good–not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne. (AMP C)
John 6: 37All whom My Father gives (entrusts) to Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, no never, reject one of them who comes to Me]. (AMP C)
Loving-Kindness flows from a heart of Love. The kindness is done solely from a heart of Love and not because of what the other person has or has not done. Loving-Kindness expects nothing in return. It is others centered. This is the Fruit of Kindness listed in Galatians 5: 22
People are desperate for kindness. Even people who are normally very hard to get along with or just downright mean they are all desperate for kindness.
The whole world is searching for love, kindness, and peace. They are searching for a Savior, but they don’t know where to look. Literally they are looking in all the wrong places.
There is no real lasting peace outside of God.
Ephesians 2: 12 – 14A remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. (13) But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (14A) For he himself is our peace… (NKJV)
Everything that God does comes from a heart of Mercy and Loving-Kindness for He IS Love Himself.
Ephesians 2: 4 – 10 But God–so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, (5) Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation). (6) And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One). (7) He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favor) in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus. (8) For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; (9) Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.] (10)For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. (AMP C)
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