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)
We’ve talked about love. We’ve talked about unity. We’ve even talked about the deep things of God. Now we have to talk about what makes all those things possible: forgiveness.Colossians 1:12-14 “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” (KJV) In Hebrews chapter 9, it says there is no forgiveness, or remission, of sins without the shedding of blood. It was talking about the Old Testament sacrifices, applying them in the New Testament through Jesus’ own death on the cross.
How great a salvation has Jesus purchased for us! He didn’t pass a law. He didn’t write a paper. He died! Not only did He die, He paid the full price for all the curse that came on the earth through Adam and Eve, and then He rose from the dead! He paid that awful, unfathomable price by shedding every drop of blood in His body. Even after He died, a soldier stabbed Him in the heart, and the final few drops of blood and water in His body gushed out. What a terrific price!
From that very cross, enduring wave after wave of pain and torture, He was actually able to ask His Father to forgive the ones who had lied about Him, unlawfully condemned Him, beaten Him without mercy, crammed biting thorns down on His head, driven Him up that hill, tore off His clothes, hammered nails into His hands and feet, and raised up that cross; He asked His Father to forgive them. He said they did not know what they were doing. Not know?! Deliberately causing Him as much horrible pain and anguish as they could think of!
What was it that they did not know? None of them from Judas on had any idea that they were fulfilling scripture, right down to casting lots for His clothes. Fulfilling scriptures, doing God’s will! The longer we meditate on it, the bigger it gets. Like St. Paul said in I Corinthians 2:7-8, “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” (KJV)
And in the face of all this, we get salvation! We get the forgiveness of our sins! In both I Corinthians 6:20 and I Corinthians 7:23 St. Paul says we are bought with a price. That terrific price! That is what makes us His own. We are not our own. We belong to Him, spirit, soul, and body. In every aspect of our lives, we can’t ever forget that. It is through His divine ownership that we can claim our salvation. Not just me, myself and I. Every born-again human being on the face of the earth is my brother and sister.
How could we ever understand these truths without the revelations God gave to St. Paul? It takes the revelation from the throne of God Himself by His Holy Spirit to explain such a deep subject as forgiveness of sin. Every day in every way we continue to learn more about this colossal subject. It is vital to our spiritual growth and understanding that we study these truths about our salvation and grace. Not just individually for myself. I am in a family now! I have to really learn about love, laying down my life. Serving others. Being other-centered, not self-centered.
And, on top of everything else, forgiveness! Ephesians 4:32 says, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (KJV) So this is the family I now find myself in.
O my Lord, if I need help with anything, this is it! Thank You for salvation, and thank You for Your precious Holy Spirit Who is my only hope of ever learning and growing in these truths! Amen.
A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is committed to and is diligently walking the Love-Walk. They are others centered, developing the fruit of Kindness in every area of their lives.
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)
Kindness and Goodness are connected. They are both Fruits of the Spirit relying on each other and flow together but are not the same. That is why they are listed separately in the Fruit of the Spirit listed inGalatians 5: 22 – 23.
In today’s world we are in desperate need of kindness.
With the Fruit of the Spirit present and operating in our lives, we do not have to live like the World lives.
Kindness should never be confused with weakness. Kindness is power under perfect control.
When we allow the Fruit of Spirit to have dominion in our lives, we live a higher life than the carnal natural life. We will be Spiritually Minded, which is life and peace.
Romans 8: 5 – 6 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. (6) For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (AMP C)
Being Spiritually Minded is by far a much higher life than living a carnal fleshly life allowing our emotions to govern us.
As we walk the Love-Walk developing the Fruit of the Spirit, the Fruit of the Spirit flowing from our Spiritual Man gives us the control. When we are not walking the Love-Walk, we are out of control allowing our fleshly carnal man to be governed by our emotions.
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
As God’s Children we should be walking a habitual life of kindness.
Psalm 145: 8 – 9The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger andabounding 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)
Colossians 3: 12 – 14Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; (13) bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. (14) But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. (NKJV)
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.
Patience – Vines NT
Patience is the quality that does not surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial; it is the opposite of despondency and is associated with hope.”
Longsuffering – Vines NT
Longsuffering is that quality of self-restraint in the face of provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly punish; it is the opposite of anger, and is associated with mercy, and is used of God, Exo_34:6 ; Rom_2:4; 1Pe_3:20.
James 1: 2 – 8Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. (3) Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. (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. (5) If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. (6) Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. (7) For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord, (8) [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides]. (AMP C)
Have you ever heard the statement “Jesus is the reason for the season”.
We have all heard that phrase at one time or another.
Yes, Jesus is the reason for the season for all of Mankind or He should be.
But what about God’s angle of view?
From God’s angle of view Mankind, You and I are the reason for the season. You and I and all of Mankind past present and future are the entire reason that Jesus was born.
It took over 4,000 years for everything to be in perfect order for Jesus to be born. No wonder that all the angels and I believe all of Heaven itself were celebrating that night.
The one and only reason that Jesus came into this world was because Man was separated from God.
The greatest Giver of all Time and Eternity Is God Himself. The greatest gift ever given was Jesus. The ultimate gift of Love.
John 3: 16 – 17For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. (17) For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. (Amp. C)
John 1: 16 For 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)
Ephesians 2: 4 – 5 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). (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.
Psalm 23: 3 He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him–not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake. (Amp. C)
Psalm 25: 4 – 5 Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. (5)Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You [You only and altogether] do I wait [expectantly] all the day long. (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)
Psalm 32: 7 – 8You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah(8) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. (NKJV)
Proverbs 3: 5 – 6Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. (6)In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.(Amp. C)
Psalm 19: 14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my [firm, impenetrable] Rock and my Redeemer. (Amp. C
A person walking in the ways of the Lord having an established heartor being Spiritually Minded is a person who has been Saved, Justified, and made Righteous by the Grace of God.
Justified = Just as if I never Sinned.
Righteous = Right Standing with God.
Grace = Unmerited Favor.
When we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior by God’s free gift of Grace, He Justifies us making us Righteous or putting us back into right standing with God Himself by His Grace.
Ephesians 2: 4 – 9 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, (5) even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), (6) and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, (7) that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (8) For 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. (NKJV)
Romans 5: 6 – 11For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (7) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. (8) But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (9) Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. (10) For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (11) And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. (NKJV)
2nd Corinthians 5: 21For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (NKJV)
Romans 3: 22 – 26even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; (23) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (24) being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, (25) whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, (26) to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (NKJV)
A person walking in the ways of the Lord having an established heart, or who is Spiritually minded, will be a person who is walking in God’s Mercy and Loving-Kindness.
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)
God has extended His Mercy and Loving-Kindness towards us so that we can have a relationship with Him. God desires a love relationship with us.
Psalm 103: 11 – 12 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him. (12) As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.(Amp. C)
Verse 12– Pre-Cross – He removed our transgressions from us; Post Cross– He completely canceled and blotted them out.
Colossians 2: 13 – 15 And you who were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh (your sensuality, your sinful carnal nature), [God] brought to life together with [Christ], having [freely] forgiven us all our transgressions, (14) Having cancelled and blotted out and wiped away the handwriting of the note (bond) with its legal decrees and demands which was in force and stood against us (hostile to us). This [note with its regulations, decrees, and demands] He set aside and cleared completely out of our way by nailing it to [His] cross. (15) [God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross]. (Amp. C)
God wants our fellowship so much that He paid a tremendous price in order to have a relationship with us. The price God paid was the death of His only begotten Son Jesus.
It was because of His mercy and compassion that He sent Jesus.
The entire mission of Jesus was to reveal God’s Love and Mercy and to make a way for man back into a relationship with God. Where there was no way Jesus became the Way. We can trust in the Mercy of God.
John 3: 16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. (Amp. C)
A person walking in the ways of the Lord having an established heart or who is Spiritually minded will be a person who is walking in God’s Mercy and Loving-Kindness.
As believers, it is essential that we know and understand God’s Love and Mercy. That we develop trust in His Love and Mercy.
This is the message that He so deeply desires for the world to know. It is our message to a dark and hurting world.
If we are to have faith and confidence in God, we must trust in His mercy.
We must Develop Faith in the Mercy of God. God is faithful to His mercy.
Deuteronomy 7: 9Therefore 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)
The entire Word of God emphasizes God’s Love, Mercy, Compassion, and Goodness. We can trust in His Mercy. His Mercy endures forever.
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 86: 15 But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth. (NKJV)
Psalm 25: 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)
Psalm 32: 10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on the Lord shall be compassed about with mercy and with loving-kindness. (Amp. C)
Even pre-cross God shows us His deep desire to pour out the abundance of His Mercy.
When God was instructing Moses on how to build the Sanctuary, God did not put a seat of Judgment on top of the ark, but He put a seat of Mercy.
Exodus 25: 21 – 22You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you.(22)And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel. (NKJV)
Colossians 1:16-17“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”(KJV)
“By Him all things consist.” If we ever imagine that we don’t know where God is, this is the perfect scripture. He is completely aware of the smallest detail of all creation, and that includes us. Hebrews 4:12-13 says, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (KJV)
These scriptures are from the King James version. Other translations say that the WORD is “living and active,” “alive and full of power,” ”alive and active,” “full of life and power.” However we say it, God’s WORD is definitely a living substance, and powerful in its activity. How could it be otherwise, when it is His WORD that brought everything into existence?
One night years ago, after I had put the children to bed and was ready to sleep myself, the power went off. The whole town was dark. I stood looking out the window in my bedroom and I was able to see the stars so bright and clear. The Presence of God was very real at that moment.
As I meditated about the situation, I thought of our own sun which has all the power our earth needs. Looking at the stars, I thought of all the power they had. And some of those pinpoints of light were actually galaxies containing billions of stars themselves. And our God created all of them!
The power came on soon after, but I always think of that starry night. It reminds me of how powerful our holy God is, that it all exists because of His original WORD, and remains just as unalterable and consistent in Him to this day and forever! Like Psalm 119:16 says,“I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. “(KJV)
In order to know God and His Ways we must be born-again. If we are not born-again we have no connection to Him.
Ephesians 2: 12 – 13 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.(13)But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (NKJV)
John 3: 3Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (NKJV)
John 3: 5 – 7 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (6)That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (7)Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ (8)The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (NKJV)
In order to know God and His Ways we must be born-again, and we must draw near to Him.
James 4: 8Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (NKJV)
As born-again believers the Holy Spirit Himself dwells in us. He reveals the Living Word of God to us as we study the Word, Pray, and walk the Love Walk. The Living Word of God reveals Who God Is and God’s Ways.
We cannot know God or His Ways with the human intellect. We can know about God, but we cannot know Him with our intellect.
We can only know God by the Spirit. Knowing God is heart or spirit knowledge, not head knowledge.
God IS Spirit.
John 4: 24God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”(NKJV)(1st John 4: 7 & 16God Is Love1st John 4: 17… As He Is So Are We In This World.)
We are Spirit Beings.
1st Thessalonians 5: 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJV)
We cannot afford to allow strife to function in our lives and relationships.
Strife:angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues; conflict
James 3: 16For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. (KJV)
James 3: 16For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. (NKJV)
James 3: 16 For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices. (Amp. C)
Strife and anger create enemies. How we treat our enemies directly affects our prayer life.
Luke 6: 27 – 31“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, (28)bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. (29)To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. (30)Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. (31)And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. (NKJV)
Proverbs 21: 14A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath. (Amp. C)
2nd Corinthians 5: 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (18) Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, (19) that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. (NKJV)
Ephesians 4: 22 – 24 Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; (23) And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], (24) And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness. (Amplified Classic)
Ephesians 4: 25 Therefore, rejecting all falsity and being done now with it, let everyone express the truth with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one body and members one of another. (Amplified Classic)
Ephesians 4: 26 – 27 When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down. (27) Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him]. (Amplified Classic)
James 1: 19 – 20 Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry. (20) For man’s anger does not promote the righteousness God [wishes and requires]. (Amplified Classic)
When you take offence allowing anger to operate, and you do not deal with it, it will lead to hatred, which will turn into bitterness.
Ephesians 4: 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. (Amplified Classic)
2nd Corinthians 5: 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (18) Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ
Now that we are Born-Again and made Righteous or put in Right Standing with God, we have a part to play in the renewing of our minds or the Putting on of the New Man.
Ephesians 4: 22 Strip yourselves of your former nature [put off and discard your old unrenewed self] which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion; (Amplified Classic)
Put off and discard. It stands to reason that if we are to put on something new, we must first take off the old.
Ephesians 4: 23 And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], (Amplified Classic)
Romans 12: 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (NKJV)
Ephesians 4: 24 And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness. (Amplified Classic)
Colossians 3: 10 And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it.(Amplified Classic)
We are all on a journey in our lives even if we never go anywhere. We are moving from one experience to another continuously. Each of us has a path in life to walk out. Only we can decide where that pathway takes us. We are on God’s path or Satan’s, one or the other. Both have definite destinations. You and I are the deciding factor.
God has made a bridge by way of the Cross for each of us if we chose to take it while there is still time to choose. All roads and all paths lead to the Cross.
No matter whether we believe in God or not all of us will encounter the Cross and the One who hung on it and paid our debt. Everyone will face the cross!
Everyone will face the fact that Jesus died for them.
Hebrews 2: 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. (NKJV)
Everyone will face the fact that their freedom from Satan and damnation was purchased by the blood of Jesus.
2nd Corinthians 5: 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. (NKJV)
1st John 2: 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. (NKJV)
Everyone will face the great love of the Father and Jesus. Not everyone will enter in, but all will know. Every Knee will Bow.
Romans 14: 7 – 12 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. (8) For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. (9) For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. (10) But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (11) For it is written: “AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME, AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL CONFESS TO GOD.” (12) So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. (NKJV)
Some will bow their knees because of their great love for the Lord and as sons and daughter of God. Their hearts full of joy as they bow in reference to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
They choose Jesus as their Lord and Savior bowing their knee willingly of their own free will during their allotted time in the Earth. They and are now reaping the Glory and Joy of their New Life in Jesus.
Others will bow because they have to. They will have to bow as defeated subjected enemies of God. They will see their God Satan bow before the Lord. They will see him thrown into the pit and will have to follow him because they served him instead of making Jesus their Lord and Savior during their allotted time in the Earth. They choose darkness rather than light.
The real key questions to your eternity are, how committed are you and to whom? The jail door is unlocked and open, but you must walk thru the door to your Freedom.
Two things we must know. God loves you and me unconditionally. God hates sin not the sinner. He loves the sinner and paid the sinners debt on the cross so that the sinner could go free if they desired to do so.
If you are asking why the Cross? The answer is YOU and me.
We all, no matter who we are, have a path or road in life to walk out. We are all on the journey of life. Only we can decide where that pathway takes us. We are on God’s path or Satan path, one or the other. There are only two actual paths or roads in this life. Both have defiant destinations. They both meet at Cross.
All roads and all paths lead to the Cross but there are two separate destinations at the cross. One to eternal life with our Loving Heavenly Father. The other to an eternal hell separated forever from the Loving Heavenly Father. Our Choice and only our choice.
You and I, and only you and I, determine which path or road we are on and our destination.
You and I are the determining factor.
God has made a way for us if we choose to take it while there is still time. He has provided a bridge for us by way of the Cross to eternal life with God.
No matter whether you believe in God or not, all will encounter the Cross and the One who hung on it and paid our debt. He literally paid a debt He did not owe.
Everyone will face the Cross. All Roads Lead to the Cross.
Jesus IS Absolute Lord!!!
Whether you believe it or not He IS still Absolute Lord!!!
Restoration Ministries 