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.
2 Peter 1:5 “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge.” (KJV) Virtue is the first brick on our foundation of faith. Once we see that excellence, resolution and Christian energy are the basis for beginning our salvation life journey, we need to find out what this new life is all about. That takes some very elemental knowledge. St. Peter mentions knowledge a couple of times in the preceding verses: 2nd Peter 1:2-4 “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (KJV) (emphasis mine).
Knowledge is how we find out about God and Jesus, and all the things pertaining to life and godliness that He has given us according to His divine power. It also tells us that we have exceeding great and precious promises that help us learn to be partakers of the divine nature, God’s very nature of love, and how to escape the corruption that is in the world through lust.
So where does the knowledge come from? We have a certain amount of knowledge just due to our life already. But is it the knowledge we need? Evidently, we need more knowledge, a new kind of knowledge. The knowledge we have already lets us get along in the world and we always need more of that. But now we need the knowledge of God and of Jesus. Even if we were raised in church and read the Bible all our lives, there is more, always more that we need to know.
Jesus said in John’s gospel, John 8:31-32 “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (KJV) Then in verse 36, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (KJV) There it is then, if we continue in His WORD. That’s where the truth is, the truth that can set us free. Free from what? His eye witness St. Peter says through this truth we can escape the corruption that is in the world through lust, and that corruption is sin.
We want to be free from sin. We want to conquer lust. We want to know God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. There is only one place we can get that knowledge, the Bible. St. Paul says in Colossians 2:1-3: “For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh: That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (KJV)
ALL the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. There is our source right there. If we want to know the Lord, we have to get started in the place where ALL that knowledge is, the Bible. “Oh, I can’t understand the Bible.” Don’t tell me that. All you have to do is start reading it. If you want to learn anything else in life, don’t you just go to where that knowledge is obtained: school, college, apprenticeship, a particular teacher?
Proverbs chapter 3 tells us that God’s WORD is life to those who find it, and health to all their flesh. Praise God, I’ve found it! Your WORD IS LIFE to me and HEALTH to all my flesh, glory to God! Amen.
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 little further down in Hebrews 11:6 we read that, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.“ (KJV) Again we are reminded that diligence is in order. 2 Peter 1:5-8 says, “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make youthat ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (KJV) This list is a pretty good thing to be working on for life. But if we don’t have faith in God as the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, what’s the point? We really have no foundation to build on.
Being born again makes the difference between us and the world. In 2 Timothy 1:12 St. Paul says, “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” (KJV) Only with faith like that does St. Peter’s exhortation make sense. We can’t be wishy-washy about our faith. It is the gift of God through His grace and our making our decision to believe it and stick with it no matter what.
So faith is our foundation. The first thing St. Peter tells us to build on our faith is virtue. Glory and virtue are what we are called to in verse 3 of Second Peter 1. The Amplified Bible tells us that virtue is excellence, resolution and Christian energy. From my school days I learned that “vir” is the latin word for “man.” In other words, being virtuous means to act like a man. Man-up. Of course, that goes for women too. Take life seriously and “give all diligence” to strive for excellence. Resolve to keep all that I learn about excellence in life fresh and strong. To do that I have to make the choice to devote energy to it.
It seems to be a huge undertaking, especially if I am new at this. I believe in God, I am diligently seeking to know Him through the study of His WORD and praying. I’m going to church and hanging out with my new Christian friends. I’m consciously moving away from the old temptations that ran me ragged before I met Jesus. Even if I was raised in church, once I accepted Jesus as my Savior, everything changed. My faith means something now, not just which door I go into on Sunday morning, if I go at all.
My new life means that now I must work to make Jesus the Lord of my life. He is definitely Lord and Savior, but they are two different things. I have seen lots of saved people who are not making Jesus their Lord. They are living without much excellence, resolution or Christian energy. These things don’t just happen when we get born again. That is what all the New Testament letters are about, multiple lists of what to do and what not to do. Not just because the old life is sinful, but we want our new life to show improvement in what we do and think. What we say.
We came to Jesus pretty messed up, but this is our opportunity to take some steps in the right direction so we can show ourselves pleasing to God by our faith, and helpful to ourselves and those around us. He will help us find people who are good examples and role models. We may not know how to describe virtue, but we know it when we see it. We are just naturally attracted to Christians who are more mature and have been giving all diligence to these things longer. If we are going to do this, we need encouragement from them. We need them to stand by us when we stumble a little. Who will teach us and give us testimony of what they went through when they were in our shoes.
Thank You, Father, that You always send just the right person at just the right time to show us what it is to strive for excellence in life. Like the Amplified says, we exercise our faith to develop our virtue, excellence, resolution, Christian energy. Amen.
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)
2Peter 1:1-2“Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.” (KJV)
Like precious faith, faith that has been obtained “with us” through the righteousness of God and Jesus. A certain kind of faith; the like or same, identical faith, and it is precious. Evidently not everyone has this faith. How do we find out what it is, what the word “faith” even means? Since this meditation is on the WORD of God, the Bible, let’s look at what the Bible says about it. The book of Hebrews says in chapter 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (KJV)
Faith is a substance. How can such an ethereal concept be a substance? Being that it is in the WORD, it must be true. But it necessarily invites some exploration. Faith. Faith. Faith. Where does it come from? Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (KJV)We get faith by hearing. If we want faith in God, we have to hear His WORD.
The key is in hearing. If we hear something else, such as, “You’re stupid. You’re a loser. You will never amount to anything,” we will begin to believe it. If we hear constant criticism of a person, a situation, a government, we will begin to believe it. If we hear enough of it, it will take a lot of hearing the opposite to change our minds.
Our belief system is constantly challenged. It takes a lot of hearing to be able to stand up to any such challenge. Simon Peter and the people he is writing to have developed some powerful faith. The very fact that we have this letter tells us that our faith must be built up by hearing what he has to say. The letter from St. Jude also says in verses 20-21, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” (KJV)The people back in these apostles’ day didn’t have the Bible as we know it. They had to have such great teachers who could encourage them by direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Thank God for His WORD! We have everything they had right here in our two hands! We have the full account of what God Himself wants us to hear in order to share in this “like precious faith!” But faith is more than a concept. It is a substance. Back in Hebrews it says this is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Evidence. An evidentiary substance that convinces us that the things we hope for, or expect, will happen to such an extent that we can act as though they have already happened.
Like what? Like the fact that we have a loving heavenly Father. We have a Saviour and a Lord in Jesus Christ. Like we have been forgiven and set free from all our sins! Like we are born again of water and the Spirit. If we need faith in these things and many others as evidence of the love of God and a future of glory in heaven, we have to keep hearing these things. This faith is the substance, the evidence, and, according to Second Peter 1, the foundation upon which we build all the other things we need for a life of love and godliness.
Thank You, gracious Father, glorious Lord Jesus, mighty Holy Spirit, for the gift of faith. Thank You for Your WORD. Thank You for the outpouring of Your grace to keep us and build us up in this most holy Faith. Amen.
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)
Define deep. As it says in Colossians 2:1-3, “For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”(KJV)
If anything is deep, it’s got to be all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge that are hidden in Christ Jesus. In Second Corinthians 12:3-4, St. Paul tells us of his trip to heaven where he learned things so deep that he couldn’t even put them into words:“And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” (KJV) He actually had that experience three times.
What did God tell him? Is it possible to find out? Even though he never specifically stated what he learned personally from the Lord, I believe we can get a clue from his letters. In many of them he speaks of what he is writing as a “mystery, hidden in God.” He uses the word “mystery” seventeen times: twice in Romans, twice in First Corinthians, six times in Ephesians, four times in Colossians, once in Second Thessalonians and twice in his first letter to Timothy. It is enough to tell us that he has revelation knowledge from God that we could never find out for ourselves.
The definition of the word “mystery” means “information known only to the initiated.” That means that yes, we can find out what each of these mysteries actually are, the “deep things of God.” We are the initiated. We are born again, baptized in water and the spirit, and belong to the Body of Christ. Mysteries are not things that we cannot know or learn. They are our personal information that the Lord, through St. Paul, is teaching us. In each of these seventeen instances, he explains completely what these mysteries are.
Of course, they can’t be known by the world. Like he says in First Corinthians 2:6-16:“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”(KJV) (All emphasis mine.)
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, . . . but we have the mind of Christ.” (KJV) Wow! Thank You, Holy Spirit of God, for teaching us the wisdom that only comes from You Yourself. Amen.
A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is developing the fruit of Patience and Longsuffering in every area of their lives. They are diligent to let Patience have it’s perfect work so that they can be perfect and entire wanting nothing.
James 1: 4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. (AMP C)
Patience just doesn’t happen on its own. It must be exercised in order to be developed.
In order to walk successfully in today’s dark world and the world of the future we must develop a lifestyle of patience.
Romans 5: 1 – 5THEREFORE, SINCE we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). (2) Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God’s favor) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God. (3) Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. (4) And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. (5) Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us. (AMP C)
2nd Peter 1: 5 – 6For this very reason, adding your diligence [to the divine promises], employ every effort in exercising your faith to develop virtue (excellence, resolution, Christian energy), and in [exercising] virtue [develop] knowledge (intelligence), (6) And in [exercising] knowledge [develop] self-control, and in [exercising] self-control [develop] steadfastness (patience, endurance), and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety), (7) And in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection, and in [exercising] brotherly affection [develop] Christian love. (8) For as these qualities are yours and increasingly abound in you, they will keep [you] from being idle or unfruitful unto the [full personal] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). (9) For whoever lacks these qualities is blind, [spiritually] shortsighted, seeing only what is near to him, and has become oblivious [to the fact] that he was cleansed from his old sins. (AMP C)
Galatians 6: 9And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. (AMP C)
Hebrews 10: 36 – 39For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised. (AMP C)
A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is walking in the Peace and Rest of the Lord. This person exercises the Fruit of Peace in every area of their life. They are at Rest in God’s Living Word.
Psalm 23: 5 – 6You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over. (6)Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place. (Amp. C)
The previous verse 4 relates to walking through the valley of the shadow of death. There are enemies in the valley of the shadow of death. But as we discussed in our last message, right in the presence of our enemies we are being protected and comforted by our shepherd who is right there with us.
Right in the presence of our enemies, the Lord, Who is with us, has prepared a table for us.
He has also anointed our heads with oil. Our cup is running over. He has made abundant overflowing provision for us right in the presence of our enemies.
This table is a right now table. This is not the same table that is being prepared for us in Heaven. There are no enemies in Heaven.
Our Loving Heavenly Father, in all His Goodness, right in the very presence of our enemies, has prepared a table for us in the secret place of His Presence.
GOD IS GOOD!!! No matter who we are or what we have done God has laid up His Goodness for all who will come to Him and receive it. His Goodness is laid up for all of man past present and future.
Psalm 100: 5 For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations.(Amp. C)
Psalm 106: 1 PRAISE THE Lord! (Hallelujah!) O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever! (Amp. C)
Psalm 107: 1 O GIVE thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever! (Amp. C)
Psalm 31: 19 – 21 Oh, 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! (20)You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence From the plots of man; You shall keep them secretly in a pavilion From the strife of tongues. (21)Blessed be the LORD, For He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city! (NKJV)
The Goodness of God toward man is not based on our being afraid of God. The Goodness of God is based on who He Is. Love Himself.
We cannot receive anything from God by being afraid of Him. That was one of the mistakes that Israel made. They did not understand the Goodness or Love of God. They did not know that God Is Love.
We do not come to the table that God has set for man by being afraid of Him. That kind of fear will keep us out of the Secret Place and away from the Table of the Lord.
Dictionary
Fear n.
1. a. A very unpleasant or disturbing feeling caused by the presence or imminence of danger:
b. A state or condition marked by this feeling:
2. A feeling of disquiet or apprehension:
3. A reason for dread or apprehension:
4. Extreme reverence or awe, as toward a deity.
v. feared, fear·ing, fears
1. To be afraid or frightened of:
2. To be uneasy or apprehensive about:
3. To consider probable; expect:
4. To revere or be in awe of (a deity, for example).
Reverence (rĕv′ər-əns)
1. A feeling of profound awe and respect and often love.
2. An act showing respect, especially a bow or curtsy.
Fear or being afraid of God will keep us out of the Secret Place and away from the Table of the Lord.
Reverence or reverential fear of God causes us to enter the Secret Place and partake of the Table that He has prepared for us.
Psalm 91: 1 HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].(Amp. C)
Psalm 103: 17 But the mercy and loving-kindness of the Lord are from everlasting to everlasting upon those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, and His righteousness is to children’s children (Amp. C)
Psalm 25: 9 – 10He leads the humble in what is right, and the humble He teaches His way. (10)All the paths of the Lord are mercy and steadfast love, even truth and faithfulness are they for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. (Amp. C)
A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is walking in the Peace and Rest of the Lord. This person exercises the Fruit of Peace in every area of their life. They are at Rest in God’s Living Word.
(Verse 4)Psalm 23: 4 Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me. (Amp. C)
Psalm 118: 6The Lord is on my side; I will not fear, what can man do to me? (NKJV)
Isaiah 41: 10Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. (Amp. C)
Romans 8: 31 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)
Hebrews 13: 5b – 6… He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] (6) So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently and boldly say, The Lord is my Helper; I will not be seized with alarm [I will not fear or dread or be terrified]. What can man do to me? (Amp. C)
We do not have to be afraid of Satan. He is already a defeated foe. He was 100% defeated by Jesus at the Cross.
Satan is limited to what is common to man or the natural or to what is common to man. We as Born-Again Children are not limit to this natural world.
1st Corinthians 10: 13For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently. (Amp. C)
A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is walking in the Peace and Rest of the Lord. This person exercises the Fruit of Peace in every area of their life. They are at Rest in God’s Living Word.
God Himself has invited each of us into the secret place of His rest. We are the ones who must choose to enter the place of His rest.
Hebrews 4: 9 – 11 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. (10) For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. (11) Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. (NKJV)
(Amp C.)Hebrews 4: 11 Let us therefore be zealous and exert ourselves and strive diligently to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves], (Amp. C)
But we must choose to enter that place of rest.
Psalm 91: 1 – 2HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. (2)I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust!(Amp. C)
In order to enter this secret place and dwell there we must set our Love upon Him and walk the Love Walk.
Psalm 91: 14 – 16 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness–trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never]. (15)He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. (16)With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation. (Amp. C)
Isaiah 26:3You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. (Amp. C)
If we have not received Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we cannot enter the Secret Place of God’s Rest.
Anyone who is Born Again can enter The Secret Place of God’s Rest, but we must walk the Love Walk and be Spiritually Minded. We cannot be carnally or fleshly minded and enter the Secret Place of God’s Rest.
Romans 8: 6For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.(NKJV)
In Order to dwell, live, and abide in The Secret Place of God’s Rest, The Word must live and abide in our hearts. The Word must be first place and final authority in every area of our lives.
A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is walking in the Peace and Rest of the Lord. This person exercises the Fruit of Peace in every area of their life. They are at Rest in God’s Living Word.
We must put feet to our faith in the Living Word. Our feet must be shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace.
Peace is not only a Fruit of the Spirit, but it is also a very important and vital part of the Armor of God.
Ephesians 6: 15 And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace. (Amp. C)
In preparation to face the enemy – We must do this before we face the enemy.
Peace will make you sure-footed and confident with firm footed stability.
Real Faith and Trust in The Living Word of God brings peace and confidence.
Peace will cause you to stand firm on the solid rock. Fear stands on sand.
When the pressure is on, fear runs and cannot stand. When the pressure is on, Peace will remain firm, and we will be able to stand, therefore.
Galatians 5: 22 – 23But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23)gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (NKJV)
Verse 22 (Amplified Classic)But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes]
The Fruit of the Spirit are already present in every born-again child of God. Peace, like the other Fruit of the Spirit, must be developed.
When we exercise patience and self-control, which are also fruits of the Spirit, we will also develop peace.
Worry and fear are enemies of and the opposite of peace.
It is impossible to walk in peace and worry and fear at the same time. Whichever you yield to that is what will be functioning in your life.
The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has authority over the law of sin and death. We are the ones that choose which one is in authority in our lives.
Romans 8:2For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has freed me from the law of sin and of death. (NKJV)
If we choose to be carnally or worldly minded, the law of sin and death will have authority in our lives, and we will not walk a life of peace.
If we choose to be Spiritually or God’s Living Word minded, The Law of Life in Christ Jesus will have authority in our lives, and we will be walking a life of peace.
Romans 8: 5 – 6For 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. (NKJV)
Satan cannot do anything to us apart from fear, any more than God can do something for us apart from faith.
Faith moves God because faith is in God.
Fear moves Satan because fear is in Satan.
In order to walk in peace, we must walk in Faith and Love
To put worry and fear under we must replace it with something stronger. The Word of God is stronger than fear and it is a higher Law than fear.
We must develop our faith in the Word of God. The Word is our sure steadfast anchor. In order for us to have faith in the Word we must have knowledge of the Word.
We must speak the Word out of our mouth believing that we receive. Not just once but continually. Our faith will not work beyond our level of confession.
Proverbs 18: 21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. (NKJV)
Matthew 12: 36 – 37 But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak. (37)For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced. (Amp. C)
1st John 1: 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (NKJV)
Amplified Classic – 1st John 1: 9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]. (Amp. C)
A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is walking in the Peace and Rest of the Lord. This person exercises the Fruit of Peace in every area of their life. They are at Rest in God’s Living Word.
You must release peace and choose fear for fear to be able to be in control. Fear and peace cannot exist together. The one that the individual yields to, will be in control.
Peace cancels fear and depression. If you choose fear and depression Peace will not function.
Love cancels hate which brings peace. If you choose hate Love and Peace will not function.
Faith cancels doubt which brings peace. If you choose doubt Faith and Peace will not function
Trust and confidence In God and His Word brings peace and rest. If you choose not to place your trust and confidence in God and His Living Word, you will not be able to walk in Peace and Rest.
How much confidence and trust do you have in God’s Word?
How much trust and confidence do you have in your relationship with God?
There are times when all we have left is our confidence in God and His Word. These are times when we must trust God!
Psalm 25: 1 – 2a UNTO YOU, O Lord, do I bring my life. (2a) O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on, and am confident in You. (Amp. C)
1st John 5: 18b he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. (NKJV)
Satan cannot do anything to us apart from fear, any more than God can do something for us apart from faith.
Faith moves God because faith is in God.
Fear moves Satan because fear is in Satan.
In order for us to walk in peace we must walk in Faith and Love.
Faith works by love.
Galatians 5: 6 For [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)
Peace Accompanies: Faith, Righteousness, Acquaintance with God, The Love of God’s Word, and Spiritual Mindedness.
A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is walking in the Peace and Rest of the Lord. This person exercises the Fruit of Peace in every area of their life. They are at Rest in God’s Living Word.
What we do during the times of troubles and storms of life will determine the amount of effect they have on us. It will also determine how long they last, when, and if we come out of them.
The troubles and storms of life seldom affect just us. What we do in these times of trouble and storms of life will also affect others around us.
Most people think that peace is an absence of conflict. That is one of the world’s definitions of peace. The real genuine peace of God will bring conflict. One of the biggest fights that we will ever have will be the fight with ourselves to walk in the peace of God.
All of us are looking for an anchor in life, something that is stable and reliable. We are looking for something that we can place our confidence in, something that will bring us rest and peace.
John 16: 33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] (Amp. C)
Matthew 6: 33 – 34 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (34)Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (NKJV)
Romans 8: 5 – 6For 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. (NKJV)
Peace is a Fruit of the Spirit. It is already present in every Born-Again Believer. It must be believed, called upon, and exercised to be developed.
God is not keeping us from walking in peace! We have to choose whether we walk in peace in our lives or fear and worry.
If we are going to walk in peace in this dark world, we must control our tongues.
Proverbs 18: 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue.And those who love it will eat its fruit. (NKJV)
Isaiah 26: 3 You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. (Amp. C)
If we are going to walk a life of peace in this dark world, we must be God’s Living Word minded and walk the Love Walk.
When we read, study, confess, and meditate on the Living Word we must do it believing that it is The Absolute Truth.
What does absolute mean?
Dictionary:Absolute:
1.complete; perfect2.free from limitations, restrictions, or exceptions; unqualified.
3.having unlimited authority.4.undoubted; certain: the absolute truth.
5.not dependent on, conditioned by, or relative to anything else; independent
6.pure; unmixed.
God Himself Is Love – Absolute Love,
God Is Absolute Life,
God Is Absolute Light,
God Is Absolute Truth,
God Is Absolute Integrity,
God Is Absolutely Steadfast.
God and His Living Word are Absolute Truth! God and His Word are One.
John 1: 1IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.(Amp. C)
God IS Love! The Being Love. Absolute Love.
1st John 4: 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.(NKJV)
1st John 4: 16And 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)
Because God IS Love, The Being, and God and His Word are One, then God’s Word IS Love.
Because God Is Absolute Life and God and His Word are One then God’s Word Is Alive, absolute Life.
John 1: 4 – 5In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. (5)And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it]. (Amp. C)
Hebrews 4: 12For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.(NKJV)
Because God and His Living Word are One and God cannot lie God’s Living Word Is Absolute Truth.
Titus 1: 2in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,(NKJV)
John 17: 17 Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth. (Amp. C)
God’s Living Word Is Absolute Truth. His Word is His bond.
God’s Word is Absolute Integrity and Absolutely Steadfast.
Just as God never changes God’s Nature or His Ways do not change; neither does His Word.
Hebrews 13: 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (NKJV)
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