A prideful person is so self-centered that they will have a hard time with walking in the fruit of Meekness or Gentleness. They will have a hard time humbling themselves before God or man.
Meekness, Gentleness, and humility are closely related. They are direct opposites of pride and self-centeredness or selfishness.
Meekness displaces Pride. Pride comes before a fall.
Proverbs 16: 18 – 19Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. (19) Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud. (NKJV)
James 4: 6But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” (NKJV)
Psalm 147: 6The LORD lifts up the humble; He casts the wicked down to the ground. (NKJV)
James 4: 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.(AMP C)
Meekness opens the door for God’s blessings. Meekness will cause you to walk in the blessings of God.
Meekness will help you walk in the reverential fear of the Lord where there is no want.
Proverbs 22: 4The reward of humility and the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.(Amp. C)
It takes diligence to walk a Meek, Gentle, and Humble lifestyle.
You must aim at and be diligent for the Fruit of the Spirit to flow in and from your life.
Ephesians 1:9-10 “Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.” KJV Have you ever wondered what God’s will is? Here it is: complete unity of all existence at the end of time back to like it was in eternity from the beginning.
It takes some meditation to get to the bottom of a concept like this. As a “mystery,” it is God’s own hidden wisdom that He was revealing, first to St. Paul, and now to us. “All things.” “All things. . . in heaven and. . . on earth.” If the language means anything, it seems to include the entire universe of creation. Christ must be awfully big!
I see it as a reflection of the Holy Trinity. Our God is One God in Three Persons. Each Person is completely unique, and yet They are completely One. There is no possible separation. In life on earth, all we see is separation. Science tells us that even the universe is flying apart in all directions.
Is it possible to be in complete unity without losing our individual identity? I believe that is God’s whole point. As each Person of the Holy Trinity has His unique identity, people will still be people, trees will still be trees, stars will still be stars when “all things” are gathered together in one in Christ.
Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” KJV Other translations say that God will guide me with His eye upon me, but I like the King James. He will guide me with His eye. I believe that means He will show me what He sees. I need to see life as God sees it. That’s how He can teach me. It does me no good to live the way I see. That lifestyle would lead me to ultimate selfishness.
Once I asked the Lord to show me what He sees when I was studying the Genesis account of creation. Genesis 1:1-3“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light:’ and there was light.” KJV I always wondered where the darkness came from. He took me to a couple of scriptures that described what was going on in heaven before the darkness, in Ezekiel 28:11-19, and Isaiah 14:9-15.
In these scriptures Lucifer is identified as “the anointed cherub.” He was the leader of all the worship of heaven. But Ezekiel 28:15 says,“Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.”KJV Iniquity was found in him. Iniquity is defined as perverseness, wickedness, and evil. In other words, darkness. Where did the darkness come from? It did not originate in God. It was the pride that Lucifer took in himself. He wanted to “ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” in Isaiah 14:14. KJV In Ezekiel 28:17God tells him,“Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness.” KJV
That darkness was why God could not tolerate Lucifer to remain in heaven. I asked the Lord what He did about it. What He told me changed my whole perspective about what happened next. Heaven was all light and beauty, peace and rejoicing. But then this darkness appeared in the heart of His dearest creation. Think about it. God had never encountered one of His created beings that didn’t love Him, that thought he could be higher that the Most High. The Lord showed me an oyster and asked me, “Where do pearls come from?”
Well, of course they come from oysters, but what causes them to form? Some little, tiny piece of sand or grit gets sucked into it as it feeds. It scratches and cuts the oyster’s flesh so painfully that the oyster must use the only substance it has, the calcium in its own shell to begin to coat the irritant until it is as smooth as the walls of its own house.
God showed me that that was what He had to do. He had to form a capsule around that dark entity and cast it out of heaven. He had to make a place for the devil and his angels. Jesus said in Luke 10:18,“I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.” KJV
A creature that didn’t love his Creator? How do we feel when we encounter someone we love deeply who doesn’t return that love? It broke God’s heart. Looking out at that darkness, an offense to the God of love, He told me that He didn’t just say, “Let there be light.” That command was His brokenhearted scream, “Light, be!” He injected His very Self into that darkness! The Holy Spirit brought life to that WORD and creation/time began.
Someone once asked me, “Which do you think we will achieve first, light speed or time travel?” My answer was inspired by the foregoing revelation from God. Even science tells us they are the same thing. I told him that, and then I said, “God is light, and nobody can go faster than God!”
Oh, God of the brokenhearted, teach us how to love You more fully and completely, more reverently and gratefully, in Jesus’ Name, amen.
The word “mystery” is used in the New Testament twenty-two times, seventeen times in St. Paul’s letters alone. Each time it is explained, especially in St. Paul’s writings, so is a mystery really something that we can’t understand? One of the definitions of the word is “information known only to the initiated.” It’s like the secret password or knock, unknown to outsiders.
We, the born-again children of God in Christ Jesus, are the insiders! Every mystery can be known by us. In Mark 4:11, Jesus said, “Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:” KJV The mystery He was talking about here was that the seed sown is the WORD of God. He describes what happens to it. A lot of times we are puzzled about why people don’t pick up on the good news of the Gospel. So He explains what can interfere with people’s understanding and acceptance of it.
The entire first two chapters of First Corinthians tells of the hidden wisdom of God that is made known to us. 1 Corinthians 2:7 “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:” KJV Then he says in 1 Corinthians 2:16 “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” KJV How cool is that?
Six times in the six chapters of the letter to the Ephesians St. Paul instructs us in the mysteries of God’s plan for mankind. The hardest one of all that caused the most trouble for him is found in Ephesians 3:1-6“For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:”KJV
St. Paul got his information directly from God Himself by the Holy Spirit. Unity of Jews and Gentiles went against all the history and culture of the chosen people. They were supposed to avoid all contact with them. Such unity could only be known through revelation. In the book of Acts chapter 10, St. Peter had a vision. 10:28 “And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”KJV
What a great wonder and glory to God that He gives us such a direct line into His heart of love! It takes revelation from God Himself to break in on our hard headed determination to be separated from one another. St. Paul said in Galatians 3:26-29,“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ; there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”KJV
Male nor female? Really? Wow. God takes unity seriously. Heavenly Father, teach us by Your WORD and Your revelation that such a mystery can be known and put into practice by us Your Church. Our unity is the only way the world will know and recognize that You have sent Your Son: John 17:21“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” KJV Amen.
2 Peter 1:7b “. . . and to brotherly kindness charity.” KJV Charity. Here is the Greek word that describes the highest form of love, agape. It is the kind of love that is God Himself. Translated as “love” in all other bibles, the King James uses the word “charity.” Because charity is most understood as a selfless gift, the KJV used another Greek word, “charis.” Charis means “gift,” and “grace.” Charity is a gift that does not expect a return. No strings attached.
Whenever the word “grace” is used, the Amplified translation also adds, “unmerited favor,” a gift that can’t be earned. It is the last brick to go into our wall:
Without all the previous bricks, agape/love has nothing to stand on. But with them, agape/love is the most reasonable and natural result. Do we need a new definition of love? Jesus Himself said in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” KJV The first letter of St. John also says, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren”(I John 3:16 KJV). Is that what we are learning about the selfless, no-strings-attached, no-return-expected kind of love?
Charity doesn’t just mean sending used clothes and money to poor children on the other side of the world. We’ve got to use our faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness and brotherly kindness to find out what real agape/love is. That can only come from studying and becoming familiar with the WORD. The living WORD of God. We just can’t find it in the world. There are lots of loving people out there. But are they loving with the true, perfect, laying-down-their-lives kind of love? The God kind?
In order to learn what agape/love really is, we need to study how God Himself showed us His love. It started in the beginning, ‘way back in Genesis. When there was nothing but darkness, God, Who is light, injected Himself into it. All creation followed. By the time He finished the Garden of Eden, everything was perfect for the people who were on their way. Alas, when our first parents disobeyed Him, that state of perfection ended. But God was ready right there with the Answer, the One Who was to come.
Jesus didn’t come to pass a law. He didn’t hold a meeting to establish a new policy. HE DIED. That was God’s Answer, TO LAY DOWN HIS LIFE. Unbeknownst to Satan, God knew that Jesus would rise again!
1 Corinthians 2:7-8 “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” KJV
That’s what laying down our lives gets us: RESURRECTION! Maybe not in this life, but we can live in that resurrection life of agape/love with the grace of God as our back-up. Who knew? Certainly not the devil. It was a MYSTERY. The dictionary definition of mystery is “information known only to the initiated.” That’s us! Being born again is our initiation into the resurrection life of Jesus! That’s what the book of Romans is all about.
Thank You, Oh Most Gracious Heavenly Father, that You showed us how to lay down our lives just the way Jesus Your Beloved Son did. He said in John 10:18: “No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” KJV Amen.
2 Peter 1:7 “And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.” KJV In the Greek language of the Bible, there are a couple of words that we translate as our word “love.” The one we are concerned with here is “phileo.” It means to show kindness, good will, and affection to our fellow Christians. In the list of attributes we have been diligently adding to our faith, we’ve turned a corner. We are no longer putting in bricks that affect only ourselves. We are now reaching out to others with kindness and affection.
Living in godliness is a sure cure for selfishness. It’s time to get out of the classroom and into the real world. There are people out there! We want them to be nice to us! Are we learning to be nice to them? If we have truly been studying the WORD, we’ve come across places where Jesus has told us to “love one another” as He has loved us. (John 15:12 “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” KJV),
That, however, is not the Greek word “phileo.” That Greek word is “agape,” and it is the subject of our next meditation. The phileo aspect is an everyday word. It means mostly to be able to get along with people, specifically the ones we are in most contact with. It can extend to those we meet in the job, the marketplace, school, etc. It pretty much applies to everyone that we do not have a long-standing, more intimate relationship with.
And yet, it is a part of our growing up to maturity in our Christian life. We need it and achieve it as a fruit of our virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience and godliness. We want a reputation for being able to reach our goals in life. We want people to smile, not run, when they see us coming. To do that, we have to have all the other bricks in place.
Is it a hard thing? Is this what people mean when they say how hard it is to be a Christian? Is it just keeping ourselves from sin, or does it have to do with wanting to do things our own way? Does it represent a crossover point of dealing with others, even others we love? When was the last time we saw someone coming and wanted to run instead of smile?
It’s time to bite the bullet. It’s time to decide if we want this Christian life and lifestyle to be real. After all, what are we working on this wall for? Did we mean it when we started that patience level? And the self-control before that? Even non-Christians have a certain amount of will-power to be able to handle themselves and get along in life.
We are wanting to be good at this thing. We have the advantage the world does not have. It’s called the grace of God. Without that grace, which the Amplified translation calls, “[that merciful kindness by which God exerts His holy influence on souls and turns them to Christ, keeping and strengthening them-“(II Corinthians 6:1 Amplified Classic), there is no real power in ourselves for what we want to do. Try as we might, it just doesn’t last till the next challenge.
Father, thank You so much for Your precious grace. How desperately we need Your “holy influence” to keep us trying and learning and working, especially with our brothers and sisters. Thank You for the big picture of our unity in the faith. Amen.
2 Peter 1:6 “And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness.” KJV For godliness, other translations say piety. Strong’s defines piety as holiness. The way it is used in other places seems to mean that godliness is religion. We might have to look at it from the other side, ungodliness. We can sure figure out what that is.
Basically piety, holiness, godliness means to be holy like God. If we are supposed to add this to our patience, it gives us a whole new attitude and motivation. We want to be just like God. Is it possible? After we work on all the previous attributes, our being like God is bound to start showing. There are certainly people in the world who are patient, loving and kind, but it takes more. It takes the knowledge and excellence of Jesus Christ that we are learning to live by.
St. Paul says in Second Corinthians 7:1, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” KJV Perfecting holiness. There are groups of Christians that call themselves “holiness.” Living a holy life according to some of them means rules that fall mainly on the female adherents, including the wearing of dresses instead of pants, long hair (some have never cut their hair in their lives), and not wearing makeup and jewelry. Some of them forbid the men to wear rings, neck chains, tie pins and watches.
They certainly stand out in the world around us. And they have scriptures to back them up. But without judging or criticizing, and with all due respect, does it keep them from sinning? “Perfecting holiness,” like St. Paul speaks of, has to be built on the fruits of the Spirit. We also define holiness as being set apart for service to God. Whatever we do or try to do according to the will of God, we want to clean up our lives from “all filthiness of the flesh and spirit.” We have heard that “cleanliness is next to godliness.”
We can also work so hard at not doing ungodly things that we forget all about just being godly. We can get bogged down in our focus at avoiding the ungodly actions that we don’t relax and just let the holiness flow by the Holy Spirit. We need to add some more virtue and knowledge bricks to our wall. Before long we will see the change. We will reap the harvest of godliness as our self-control and patience increases. It all flows and grows together.
1 Peter 1:15-16 “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” KJV He also says in the Amplified version,First Peter 2:4-5 “Come to Him [then, to that] Living Stone which men tried and threw away, but which is chosen [and] precious in God’s sight. [Psa_118:22; Isa_28:16] [Come] and, like living stones, be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. “(Amplified Classic)
Other people’s walls are also growing and will meet up with our own. We want to give “all diligence” to make our wall straight and strong, and give support to those around us. We are the “living stones” being built into the spiritual temple of God. Thank You, holy Lord, for keeping us strong as we strive to take our place in the house You are building for Yourself. We want to do our part in the place You have chosen for us and be just like You. Amen.
A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is committed to and is diligently walking the Love-Walk developing the Fruit of the Spirit in every area of their lives. They are habitually others centered. The fruit of Goodness is a habitual lifestyle for this person.
Everything good comes from God.
James 1: 17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. (NKJV)
God is good, does good, and gives good gifts to his children.
John 1: 16For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift. (AMP C)
Matthew 7: 11If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (NKJV)
Luke 11: 13If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (NKJV)
Romans 8: 31 – 32 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (32) He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? (NKJV)
With the Holy Spirit we have all things that pertain to life and Godliness dwelling in us through the knowledge of God by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
2nd Peter 1: 2 – 4 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, (3) as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, (4) by which have been givento us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (NKJV)
Philippians 4: 19And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (NKJV)
He fills our hungry souls with good things.
Psalm 107: 8 – 9 Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! (9) For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness. (NKJV)
Psalm 34: 8 – 10 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! (9) Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. (10) The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing. (NKJV)
Matthew 6: 33But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. (AMP C)
Part of the seeking process is to meditate on the Word as we discussed earlier inJoshua 1: 8 and Psalm 1.
God Created us for Goodness.
Ephesians 2: 8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, (9) not of works, lest anyone should boast. (10) For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (NKJV)
Psalm 31: 19Oh, how great is Your goodness, Which You have laid up for those who fear You, Which You have prepared for those who trust in You In the presence of the sons of men! (NKJV)
Psalm 23: 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. (NKJV) (Psalm 27: 4)
1st John 4: 15 – 16Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. (16) And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. (NKJV)
Psalm 37: 23 – 24The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way. (24) Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand. (NKJV)
Joshua was a good man. His steps were ordered by the Lord. God told Joshua what to do in order to walk in the ways of the Lord.
Joshua 1: 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (NKJV)
Let’s back up a couple of verses to see what God told Joshua to do in order to be strong and of good courage so that he would be able to walk in the steps that were ordered by the Lord.
Joshua 1: 7 – 8Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. (8) This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (NKJV)
If Joshua did not do his part, then even though his steps were ordered by the Lord, Joshua would not have had success.
Whether or not Joshua had success depended on Joshua doing his part. God had already made the provision. Joshua had to do his part in order for that provision to be unlocked.
A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is committed to and is diligently walking the Love-Walk developing the Fruit of the Spirit in every area of their lives. They are habitually others centered. The fruit of Goodness is a habitual lifestyle for this person.
Psalm 145: 8 – 9The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and abounding in mercy and loving-kindness. (9) The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works [the entirety of things created].(AMP C)
Psalm 100: 5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. (NKJV) – also Psalm 106: 1; Psalm 107: 1; 1st Chronicles 16: 34
The Lord Is the same yesterday, today, and forever, so His Goodness, Loving-Kindness, and Mercy are everlasting to all generations.
Hebrews 13: 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (NKJV)
Because God IS Love and He Is the same yesterday, today, and forever, in His Goodness, by Grace, He poured out His abundant everlasting Love and Mercy toward all Mankind.
Ephesians 2: 4 – 6 But God–so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, (5) Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation). (6) And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One). (AMP C)
A person walking in the ways of the Lord is a person who is committed to and is diligently walking the Love-Walk developing the Fruit of the Spirit in every area of their lives. They are habitually others centered. The fruit of Goodness is a habitual lifestyle for this person.
Walking in the Fruit of the Spirit is a normal natural way for a Born-Again person to live. It should be habitual. Any other way of life is abnormal for the Born-Again person.
The Bible calls this person a Good Man.
Proverbs 12: 2A good man obtains favor from the LORD, But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn. (NKJV)
Psalm 37: 23The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way. (NKJV)
Matthew 12: 35The good man from his inner good treasure flings forth good things, and the evil man out of his inner evil storehouse flings forth evil things. (AMP C)
“God is good all the time,” and …. “All the time God is good.” There never is a time when God is not good.
People frequently accuse God of doing many things that are not good. Whether from misunderstanding, misplaced blame, or an instinctual response to suffering, humanity tends to miss God’s goodness and see only the brokenness and pain they think he ignores or causes.
God IS Love therefore God IS Good! God is never your problem.
1st John 4: 7 – 8Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. (8) He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.(NKJV)
Recognizing God’s essential goodness is foundational to an accurate understanding of God’s nature, God’s work in the world, and God’s plans for humanity.
Recognizing or not recognizing the Goodness of God will affect your Faith, your very life, and your Eternity.
Because God is good, God will always act in alignment with his character. That means, God will always act with goodness in ways that make us better, strengthen us, heals us and restore us.
The Bible repeatedly proclaims that God is good. God’s goodness is abundant.
Psalm 145: 8 – 9The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and abounding in mercy and loving-kindness. (9) The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works [the entirety of things created].(AMP C)
Kindness, as well as all of the Fruits of the Spirit, are desperately needed in the dark world of today.
The lifestyle of the Fruit of the Spirit in the life of the believer is a light to a dark world.
Every believer should be and is responsible for bearing the Fruit of the Spirit as a lifestyle. This hurting world must see this fruit in operation in the lives of the believers.
1st Thessalonians 5: 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. (NKJV)
Matthew 5: 14 – 16“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. (15) Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (NKJV)
Ephesians 5: 8 – 10For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (9) (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), (10) finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. (NKJV)
Philippians 2: 12b …work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; (13) for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (14) Do all things without complaining and disputing, (15) that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, (NKJV)
Ephesians 4: 17 – 18This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, (18) having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; (NKJV)
The Loving-Kindness and Tender Mercy of God is calling out to a dark and hurting World. His Heart cry to this dark World Is:
Matthew 11: 28 – 30Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.](29) Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. (30) For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good–not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne. (AMP C)
John 6: 37All whom My Father gives (entrusts) to Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, no never, reject one of them who comes to Me]. (AMP C)
Loving-Kindness flows from a heart of Love. The kindness is done solely from a heart of Love and not because of what the other person has or has not done. Loving-Kindness expects nothing in return. It is others centered. This is the Fruit of Kindness listed in Galatians 5: 22
People are desperate for kindness. Even people who are normally very hard to get along with or just downright mean they are all desperate for kindness.
The whole world is searching for love, kindness, and peace. They are searching for a Savior, but they don’t know where to look. Literally they are looking in all the wrong places.
There is no real lasting peace outside of God.
Ephesians 2: 12 – 14A remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. (13) But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (14A) For he himself is our peace… (NKJV)
Everything that God does comes from a heart of Mercy and Loving-Kindness for He IS Love Himself.
Ephesians 2: 4 – 10 But God–so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, (5) Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation). (6) And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One). (7) He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favor) in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus. (8) For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; (9) Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself.] (10)For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. (AMP C)
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)
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