TITUS 2: 7-8...
7+++in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified,
8+++sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.
Failures in duties greatly reproach Christianity. Every godly man's endeavour must be to stop the mouths of adversaries. Let thine own conscience answer for thine uprightness. What a glory is it for a Christian, when that mouth which would fain open itself against him, cannot find any evil in him to speak of!
There are more young people ruined by pride than by any other sin...
No matter how old we are, no matter how far we have come, no matter how close we 'think' we are to THE LORD *GOD*, there WILL be tests, trials, tribulations, all of which might reduce us to being tempted, thus, to err. There are over 100 BIBLE verses concerning our 'doing our best', and adhering to our 'duties' IN HIS NAME, FOR HIS GLORY, and for the good of ALL! It is staggering to note just how many people imagine that they are absolutely safe solely, in their belief, without ever enjoining that which proves them; that is, compliance TO HIM, HIS WILL, and HIS WAYS! We ARE a unique people, CHOSEN to represent HIM, and THE KINGDOM; we ARE SERVANTS OF THE LORD *GOD*, and of others; we ARE TO BE distinct in behaviours, thoughts, actions, and reactions, ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, and WAYS! We ARE to be gentle, kind, considerate, tolerant, understanding, forgiving, compassion, humble, and to speak, and do IN ways ALIGNED to what is right, just, good, and OF THE SPIRIT, NOT of the flesh, and of the human condition, albeit we are in the world, still, IF we ARE OF HIM, we are NOT of the world, hence, our separation from thinking, speaking, and acting as the world does...
WE ARE TO BE EXAMPLES for others, AND TO REFLECT THE LORD, THAT others can SEE HIM, HEAR HIM, and NOTE HIM in our midst: in other words, we ARE to BE LIKE HIM for the sake of others, and to PROVE THE LIGHT, which IS SHINING, and IS PREVALENT OVER all darkness, and which CAN, and DOES lead the lost back TO HIM, in which, we ARE PARTNERS!!!
COLOSSIANS 3: 12-17...
12+++Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13+++Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14+++And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15+++Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
16+++Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
17+++And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
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.
ROMANS 2: 6...
God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”
The Jews thought themselves a holy people, entitled to their privileges by right, while they were unthankful, rebellious, and unrighteous. But all who act thus, of every nation, age, and description, must be reminded that the judgment of God will be according to their real character. The case is so plain, that we may appeal to the sinner's own thoughts. In every willful sin, there is contempt of the goodness of God. And though the branches of man's disobedience are very various, all spring from the same root. But in true repentance, there must be hatred of former sinfulness, from a change wrought in the state of the mind, which disposes it to choose the good and to refuse the evil. It shows also a sense of inward wretchedness. Such is the great change wrought in repentance, it is conversion, and is needed by every human being.
The ruin of sinners is their walking after a hard and impenitent heart. Their sinful doings are expressed by the strong words, treasuring up wrath. In the description of the just man, notice the full demand of the law. It demands that the motives shall be pure, and rejects all actions from earthly ambition or ends. In the description of the unrighteous, contention is held forth as the principle of all evil. The human will is in a state of enmity against God. Even Gentiles, who had not the written law, had that within, which directed them what to do by the light of nature. Conscience is a witness, and first or last will bear witness. As they nature. Conscience is a witness, and first or last will bear witness. As they kept or broke these natural laws and dictates, their consciences either acquitted or condemned them. Nothing speaks more terror to sinners, and more comfort to saints, than that Christ shall be the Judge. Secret services shall be rewarded, secret sins shall be then punished, and brought to light.
1+++Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
2+++Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
3+++If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.
4+++Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else,
5+++for each one should carry their own load.
6+++Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.
7+++Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
8+++Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
9+++Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
10+++Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
We are to bear one another's burdens. So we shall fulfil the law of Christ. This obliges to mutual forbearance and compassion towards each other, agreeably to his example. It becomes us to bear one another's burdens, as fellow-travellers. It is very common for a man to look upon himself as wiser and better than other men, and as fit to dictate to them. Such a one deceives himself; by pretending to what he has not, he puts a cheat upon himself, and sooner or later will find the sad effects. This will never gain esteem, either with God or men. Every one is advised to prove his own work. The better we know our own hearts and ways, the less shall we despise others, and the more be disposed to help them under infirmities and afflictions. How light soever men's sins seem to them when committed, yet they will be found a heavy burden, when they come to reckon with God about them. No man can pay a ransom for his brother; and sin is a burden to the soul. It is a spiritual burden; and the less a man feels it to be such, the more cause has he to suspect himself. Most men are dead in their sins, and therefore have no sight or sense of the spiritual burden of sin. Feeling the weight and burden of our sins, we must seek to be eased thereof by the Saviour, and be warned against every sin.
Many excuse themselves from the work of religion, though they may make a show, and profess it. They may impose upon others, yet they deceive themselves if they think to impose upon God, who knows their hearts as well as actions; and as he cannot be deceived, so he will not be mocked. Our present time is seed time; in the other world we shall reap as we sow now. As there are two sorts of sowing, one to the flesh, and the other to the Spirit, so will the reckoning be hereafter. Those who live a carnal, sensual life, must expect no other fruit from such a course than misery and ruin. But those who, under the guidance and influences of the Holy Spirit, live a life of faith in Christ, and abound in Christian graces, shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. We are all very apt to tire in duty, particularly in doing good. This we should carefully watch and guard against. Only to perseverance in well-doing is the reward promised. Here is an exhortation to all to do good in their places. We should take care to do good in our life-time, and make this the business of our lives. Especially when fresh occasions offer, and as far as our power reaches.
HEBREWS 12: 12-17...
12+++Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.
13+++“Make level paths for your feet,” so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
14+++Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
15+++See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
16+++See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son.
17+++Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.
A burden of affliction is apt to make the Christian's hands hang down, and his knees grow feeble, to dispirit him and discourage him; but against this he must strive, that he may better run his spiritual race and course. Faith and patience enable believers to follow peace and holiness, as a man follows his calling constantly, diligently, and with pleasure. Peace with men, of all sects and parties, will be favourable to our pursuit of holiness. But peace and holiness go together; there can be not right peace without holiness. Where persons fail of having the true grace of God, corruption will prevail and break forth; beware lest any unmortified lust in the heart, which seems to be dead, should spring up, to trouble and disturb the whole body. Falling away from Christ is the fruit of preferring the delights of the flesh, to the blessing of God, and the heavenly inheritance, as Esau did. But sinners will not always have such mean thoughts of the Divine blessing and inheritance as they now have. It agrees with the profane man's disposition, to desire the blessing, yet to despise the means whereby the blessing is to be gained. But God will neither sever the means from the blessing, nor join the blessing with the satisfying of man's lusts. God's mercy and blessing were never sought carefully and not obtained.
We are not saved by, but created unto, good works. THIS is important knowledge, indeed! IN the NEW being, we tend towards what is *GOD*LY; we exist aright, and in the best of our ability, and understanding, think, feel, speak, and do according TO HIS WILL, and WAYS, KNOWING we ARE uniquely endowed THROUGH HIS LOVE, MERCY, GRACE, and INSTRUCTION TO SHINE OF HIM, and leave HIM in our wake, FOR HIS GLORY, and for the sake of souls! Our 'works' are NOT feigned, nor are they saving us, INSTEAD THEY ARE SHOWING HIM IN US!!!
MATTHEW 7: 21-23...
21+++“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ]
22+++Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’
23+++Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Christ here shows that it will not be enough to own him for our Master, only in word and tongue. It is necessary to our happiness that we believe in Christ, that we repent of sin, that we live a holy life, that we love one another. This is his will, even our sanctification. Let us take heed of resting in outward privileges and doings, lest we deceive ourselves, and perish eternally, as multitudes do, with a lie in our right hand. Let every one that names the name of Christ, depart from all sin.
Let us be more and more decided and earnest, making some one or other of these blessedness's and Christian graces the main subject of our thoughts, even for weeks together. Let us not rest in general and confused desires after them, whereby we grasp at all, but catch nothing...
Despite the long length of time since the first people's, not much has changed. We want to be SAVED, but we don't want to adhere to THE LORD *GOD*, nor HIS WILL; instead, we listen to the whisperings of the lies of the world, and believe we are entitled, regardless! THE LORD *GOD* HAS made clear HIS stance; we ARE to exist according to HIS WILL, and discover our TRUTH within, which is NOT carnal, instead OF THE SPIRIT, and pertaining to the everlasting soul! ALL which HE COMMANDS of us IS within us to step into, and to fulfill, but we are caught up in the falsehoods, and enticements of this realm, as well as in the desires and passions of the being! IF we are OF CHRIST JESUS, we KNOW that TO FOLLOW HIM IS to have nailed THE SELF TO THE CROSS, and to tap into the reality of our existence, the SPIRITUAL being! We CANNOT have it both ways, though as we aim to fulfill HIS WILL, we shall yet struggle with the carnality of this realm, but to DENY that we are to surrender the self, and the carnal, SHOWS HIM exactly where our hearts lie...
Funny thing is, WHEN we enjoin HIM sincerely, and honestly, we notice THE TRUTH in our having been far, far from HIM, and just how much we erred, as well as the endless BLESSINGS, bounties, and advantages therein! ONLY because HIS WAY is contrary to the deceitful ways in which the world has reared us do we balk, or resist, but when we honestly turn TO HIM, and HIS WILL, we find it is NOT drudgery, instead it opens UP to JOY, PEACE, HOPE, and exposes the beauty which was shrouded deep within, which IS HIS likeness, into which we were CREATED! We DON'T like change, especially if it means putting the self last, because the world has lied and told us that we are foremost, and entitled! *GOD* FIRST, then others, and then, our rewards SHALL be realized, as well as viable!!!
We have ONE SHOT at securing our souls to eternal bliss, and it goes by REAL fast! EVERYTHING IN this world intends to rob us of time, and of THE KINGDOM! ONLY through CHRIST JESUS, THE LORD *GOD*, and HOLY SPIRIT, CAN we begin to be freed from the intense shroud which renders us dazed, confused, and endangers us! Words mean squat in the end, but action IN ALLEGIANCE speaks volumes! It ISN'T easy, it WASN'T intended to be, because the battle IS such that we are either, pawns of evil, or VICTORS IN THE LORD *GOD*! I wish I had known long ago; I wish I had been taught aright; I wish I had been given the knowledge which would have kept me from many, many errs, but THANK *GOD* it is NEVER too late, and HIS LOVE and MERCY ENDURES FOREVER, and it IS HIS LOVE, and MERCY which TEACHES us, and LEADS us, and TRANSFORMS us INTO our TRUTH; FOR HIS GLORY, for our own sake, and for the sake of lost souls!!!
*GOD* IS PURELY GOOD, and that good exists in HIS people; which is FAR more true than the bad which we embrace, or believe! All we need do IS TURN TO HIM in TRUTH and SPIRIT, and the world WILL SEE, HEAR, FEEL, and NOTE HIS GOOD through us!!!
LWINSOR © 2018
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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