In Acts 2:1-4 we read: "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
Psalm 133:1-3 we read: " Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore."
In Deuteronomy 32:30 we read: "How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?"
In Ephesians 6:12 we read: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]."
In Matthew 18:19-20 we read: "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Notice the "if" and the "together" dear one.
In all the years I have walked with the Lord, I have continually observed how the deceiver works - he simply creates so many discussions, factions, opinions, prejudices, divisions, discords, theories, beLIEfs, arguments and denominational doctrines that it is almost impossible to get even two believers to agree here on earth. Everyone beLIEves they are "right" and insist the others must all agree with them. (Proverbs 13:10; 16:28; 17; 18:6-16; 22; Philippians 1:16-17; 1 Corinthians 11; Acts 15:39; Romans 1;) (Please see - Is Christ divided?)
For many years, I watched my brothers and sisters argue if you can chew gum in church, wear some articles of clothing, have facial hair, play some type of music, smoke, drink, dance, go to the YMCA, go to movies, wash the car on Sunday, play cards, have pictures on the wall, wear makeup, build churches, etc. Souls are being lost and the love of the brethren is growing cold. There are now so many different opinions, interpretations, and doctrinal teachings and divisions even on these small issues or specks - how will we ever agree with one another on the major issues? (See - Ephesians Chapter 4) In Matthew 23:24 we read:"[Ye] blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel."
In Hebrews 6:6 we read: "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward G-d, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if G-d permit. For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of G-d, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of G-d afresh, and put [Him] to an open shame. So, how do we go on to perfection?
First of all dear one, if you did not hear it from directly from G-d (John 10:27) and have His word confirmed by two or three witnesses - keep your thoughts to yourself. G-d is not the author of confusion! Second, forgive everyone exactly as you want to be forgiven - and third, do not judge anything or anyone before it is time - that is not your job. Fourth, your job is simply to love one another - this simply means to accept one another just as you/they are. Exactly the way Jesus accepted you! Selfless love is true perfection. Always remember Hebrews 12:2 dear one - we all should be "looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of G-d."
Proverbs 10:12 says: “Hatred (satan) stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.” In 1 Peter 4:1-11 we read: "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of G-d. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to G-d in the spirit. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity (love) among yourselves: for charity (love) shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of G-d. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of G-d; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which G-d giveth: that G-d in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen
In James 1:2-26 we read: "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of G-d, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of G-d: for G-d cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Mat 7:1-5 "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam (log) out of thine own eye and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote (speck) out of thy brother's eye."
Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of G-d. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
In Psalm 119:96-106 we read: "I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies : for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers : for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words (John 10:27) unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding : therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments."
Christian perfection verses:
"Be perfect, therefore, like your heavenly father is perfect." Jesus Christ Matthew 5:48
"Every good and perfect gift comes from above, James 1:17
..."perfect love drives out fear", 1 John 4:18
"Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me".... Matthew 19:21
"and our prayer is for your perfection". 2 Corinthians 13:9
"Epaphras, ...always labouring fervrently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect"...Colossians 4:12
John 10:11-18: "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 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."
John 15:12 -13: "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Romans 5:6-8: "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But G-d commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 16:3-4: "Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles."
Philippians 2:25-30: "Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellow soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but G-d had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me."
1 John 3:16-19: "Hereby perceive we the love of G-d, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of G-d in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him."
Men who were perfect in Heart:
Noah was perfect in his generation - Genesis 6:9
Hezekiah had a perfect heart - 2 Kings 20:3
Asa's heart was perfect - 2 Chronicles 15:17
Job was a perfect man - Job 1:1-8
G-d maketh my way perfect - 2 Samuel 22:33
"an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile." (John 1:47) No guile as to G-d, always willing to be open to His view; no guile as to our neighbor, a conscious freedom from all evil, in thought, word, or deed, towards him: no guile as to self, no wish to think of oneself other than G-d thinks.
There Are Only Two Great Commandments!
We know it is wrong to commit adultery, to murder, to lie, to steal, and to cheat; and there are millions of other laws we should all be trying to keep. Is Christianity that complicated? Of course not! G-d's ways are often too simple for us to grasp! As a matter of fact, the whole law can be summed up into two commandments. Matthew 22:37-40, "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy G-d with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." It is as simple as that! If everybody loved the Lord and each other, like Christ loved us, there would be no sin in the world! There would be no murder, no hate, no bitterness, no adultery, no stealing, no lying, no denominations, no schisms, nor any other kind of sin, if we only loved the Lord with all our heart and our neighbor as we love our own self! Matthew 7:12, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." That's right dear one! Whatever you do to others, ask yourself, "Would I like them to do this to me?" Is that such a hard rule to live by? Dear one if you really want to be perfect - Love as He did! It should not be your way but it should only be Jesus' way - He alone is the way! Do not be concerned what someone else is doing "wrong" - get yourself right first! Vengeance is mine; I will repay. saith the Lord (Romans 12:19; Deuteronomy 32:35). Trust Him! Love Him! Serve Him! Serve the brethren! Shalom!
No comments:
Post a Comment