LOTS of troubles, problems, issues, and other negatives to be found in this day which THE LORD GAVE us to work through, no doubt, and it only gets worse as people feed into the negative, give it power, and rely on themselves, even others, instead of *GOD*! It gets worse as people react, or act before they think things through, or look at the whole picture! It gets worse when people insist they are right, and everyone who doesn't agree with them is wrong! It gets worse when people use LOVE according to their agendas as opposed to existing in it fully, and continually! It gets worse because people don't want to hear or see that maybe, just maybe they are acting according to their pride and passions instead of acting according to the WILL OF *GOD*! It gets worse all the time, but few are willing to embrace or utilize the self-control, calm, reason, or patience necessary to ensuring change!!!
STILL, there IS GOOD in the hours of this day! There IS GOOD all around us! There IS GOOD coming out of the wrong, the bad, the negative! For instance, people ARE joining together, some of them beside people they didn't know they cared for! That IS a BEAUTIFUL thing, and HOPEFULLY, will open up to even greater good! The dissension and discord ISN'T going to instantly disappear, but the more people learn from one another, such WILL diminish!!!
We FORGET *GOD*, and the need to PRAY when we are confronted! We HURRY to make OUR own ways known, even felt, and so, right out the gate we are wrong because we are relying on the self OVER *GOD*! We ARE taught to PRAY all the time, but especially when we meet obstacles, snares, and other such which would trip, and trap us, but HOW often do most of us remember to do so? Our initial reaction is to shield, guard, and vindicate ourselves, WITHOUT *GOD* WHO IS OUR DEFENDER, and DELIVERER; TRULY, we FORGET, thus, we are then entangled in the ways of the world, while wondering why we suffer, and why things have gotten so bad!!!
Christian conduct, and existence IS supposed to be different than that of the world, and while we might not understand this it IS essential to our relationship with THE LORD *GOD*, and to our TRUTH which IS that we are citizens of THE KINGDOM, NOT of the world! IN existing IN THE WILL OF THE LORD, we bring to the world HIS WAY, as we EXEMPLIFY HIM FOR HIS GLORY, AND the greater good of those still separated from HIM; there IS SO much sound logic IN our existing IN our TRUTH, and of course, great purpose! The more we TRY to understand the why's, and how's of doing so, the more sense it makes, and the easier it becomes for us to do so...
Walk worthy of THE LORD, and your Calling:
EPHESIANS 4: 1-6...
1+++As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
2+++Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
3+++Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
4+++There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;
5+++one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Nothing is pressed more earnestly in the Scriptures, than to walk as becomes those called to Christ's kingdom and glory. By lowliness, understand humility, which is opposed to pride. By meekness, that excellent disposition of soul, which makes men unwilling to provoke, and not easily to be provoked or offended. We find much in ourselves for which we can hardly forgive ourselves; therefore we must not be surprised if we find in others that which we think it hard to forgive. There is one Christ in whom all believers hope, and one heaven they are all hoping for; therefore they should be of one heart. They had all one faith, as to its object, Author, nature, and power. They all believed the same as to the great truths of religion; they had all been admitted into the church by one baptism, with water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, as the sign of regeneration. In all believers God the Father dwells, as in his holy temple, by his Spirit and special grace.
Put on the new self:
COLOSSIANS 3: 1-17...
1+++Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2+++Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
3+++For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4+++When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
5+++Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.
6+++For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience,
7+++and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.
8+++But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
9+++Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices,
10+++and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—
11+++a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
12+++So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
13+++bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
14+++Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
15+++Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
16+++Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
17+++Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
As Christians are freed from the ceremonial law, they must walk the more closely with God in gospel obedience. As heaven and earth are contrary one to the other, both cannot be followed together; and affection to the one will weaken and abate affection to the other. Those that are born again are dead to sin, because its dominion is broken, its power gradually subdued by the operation of grace, and it shall at length be extinguished by the perfection of glory. To be dead, then, means this, that those who have the Holy Spirit, mortifying within them the lusts of the flesh, are able to despise earthly things, and to desire those that are heavenly. Christ is, at present, one whom we have not seen; but our comfort is, that our life is safe with him. The streams of this living water flow into the soul by the influences of the Holy Spirit, through faith. Christ lives in the believer by his Spirit, and the believer lives to him in all he does. At the second coming of Christ, there will be a general assembling of all the redeemed; and those whose life is now hid with Christ, shall then appear with him in his glory. Do we look for such happiness, and should we not set our affections upon that world, and live above this?
It is our duty to mortify our members which incline to the things of the world. Mortify them, kill them, suppress them, as weeds or vermin which spread and destroy all about them. Continual opposition must be made to all corrupt workings, and no provision made for carnal indulgences. Occasions of sin must be avoided: the lusts of the flesh, and the love of the world; and covetousness, which is idolatry; love of present good, and of outward enjoyments. It is necessary to mortify sins, because if we do not kill them, they will kill us. The gospel changes the higher as well as the lower powers of the soul, and supports the rule of right reason and conscience, over appetite and passion. There is now no difference from country, or conditions and circumstances of life. It is the duty of every one to be holy, because Christ is a Christian's All, his only Lord and Saviour, and all his hope and happiness.
We must not only do no hurt to any, but do what good we can to all. Those who are the elect of God, holy and beloved, ought to be lowly and compassionate towards all. While in this world, where there is so much corruption in our hearts, quarrels will sometimes arise. But it is our duty to forgive one another, imitating the forgiveness through which we are saved. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts; it is of his working in all who are his. Thanksgiving to God, helps to make us agreeable to all men. The gospel is the word of Christ. Many have the word, but it dwells in them poorly; it has no power over them. The soul prospers, when we are full of the Scriptures and of the grace of Christ. But when we sing psalms, we must be affected with what we sing. Whatever we are employed about, let us do every thing in the name of the Lord Jesus, and in believing dependence on him. Those who do all in Christ's name, will never want matter of thanksgiving to God, even the Father.
17+++So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.
18+++They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.
19+++Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
20+++That, however, is not the way of life you learned
21+++when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.
22+++You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
23+++to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
24+++and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25+++Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
26+++“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
27+++and do not give the devil a foothold.
28+++Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
29+++Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
30+++And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31+++Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
32+++Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
The apostle charged the Ephesians in the name and by the authority of the Lord Jesus, that having professed the gospel, they should not be as the unconverted Gentiles, who walked in vain fancies and carnal affections. Do not men, on every side, walk in the vanity of their minds? Must not we then urge the distinction between real and nominal Christians? They were void of all saving knowledge; they sat in darkness, and loved it rather than light. They had a dislike and hatred to a life of holiness, which is not only the way of life God requires and approves, and by which we live to him, but which has some likeness to God himself in his purity, righteousness, truth, and goodness. The truth of Christ appears in its beauty and power, when it appears as in Jesus. The corrupt nature is called a man; like the human body, it is of divers parts, supporting and strengthening one another. Sinful desires are deceitful lusts; they promise men happiness, but render them more miserable; and bring them to destruction, if not subdued and mortified. These therefore must be put off, as an old garment, a filthy garment; they must be subdued and mortified. But it is not enough to shake off corrupt principles; we must have gracious ones. By the new man, is meant the new nature, the new creature, directed by a new principle, even regenerating grace, enabling a man to lead a new life of righteousness and holiness. This is created, or brought forth by God's almighty power.
Notice the particulars wherewith we should adorn our Christian profession. Take heed of every thing contrary to truth. No longer flatter or deceive others. God's people are children who will not lie, who dare not lie, who hate and abhor lying. Take heed of anger and ungoverned passions. If there is just occasion to express displeasure at what is wrong, and to reprove, see that it be without sin. We give place to the devil, when the first motions of sin are not grievous to our souls; when we consent to them; and when we repeat an evil deed. This teaches that as sin, if yielded unto, lets in the devil upon us, we are to resist it, keeping from all appearance of evil. Idleness makes thieves. Those who will not work, expose themselves to temptations to steal. Men ought to be industrious, that they may do some good, and that they may be kept from temptation. They must labour, not only that they may live honestly, but that they may have to give to the wants of others. What then must we think of those called Christians, who grow rich by fraud, oppression, and deceitful practices! Alms, to be accepted of God, must not be gained by unrighteousness and robbery, but by honesty and industry. God hates robbery for burnt-offerings.
Filthy words proceed from corruption in the speaker, and they corrupt the minds and manners of those who hear them: Christians should beware of all such discourse.
It is the duty of Christians to seek, by the blessing of God, to bring persons to think seriously, and to encourage and warn believers by their conversation.
Be ye kind one to another. This sets forth the principle of love in the heart, and the outward expression of it, in a humble, courteous behaviour.
Mark how God's forgiveness causes us to forgive. God forgives us, though we had no cause to sin against him. We must forgive, as he has forgiven us.
All lying, and corrupt communications, that stir up evil desires and lusts, grieve the Spirit of God. Corrupt passions of bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, evil-speaking, and malice, grieve the Holy Spirit. Provoke not the holy, blessed Spirit of God to withdraw his presence and his gracious influences. The body will be redeemed from the power of the grave at the resurrection day. Wherever that blessed Spirit dwells as a Sanctifier, he is the earnest of all the joys and glories of that redemption day; and we should be undone, should God take away his Holy Spirit from us.
Let us ALWAYS KNOW our role IN HIS WILL, and PLAN, and let us EVER strive to SHINE OF HIM, FOR HIS GLORY which IS evident in bringing to others HIS LOVE, HIS WILL, HIS WAYS, HIS WORD, THROUGH the ways we exist, speak, act, and react! The world WILL challenge us as often as it can; it IS part of the enemy's aim to distract us, deceive us, frustrate us, anger us, and otherwise keep us FROM exemplifying *GOD*, LOVE, and THE TRUTH!!!
PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! PRAISE THE LORD ALWAYS! WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT, and IN TRUTH! HONOUR HIM BY BEING HIS REFLECTION in every way, and every word! REJOICE IN HIS LOVE for us, and LOVE others as HE LOVES us! BE THANKFUL, BE GRATEFUL, and BE CONTENT enough IN HIM to be able to find the WILL to RESIST what aspires to take you far from THE PATH! As HIS Children, we ARE ABOVE the world and it's ways, therefore STAY ON THE HIGH ROAD in the best of your knowledge, understanding, ability, and capacity; there IS safety, PEACE, HOPE, and LIFE ETERNAL in doing so! May *GOD* BE WITH US, and BLESS US, and may we BE WITH HIM, and BLESS HIM!!!
LWINSOR © 2017
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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