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Genesis 1:26-28 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (27) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (28) And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (KJV)
When mankind was in good standing with God He blessed them. Mankind was made in the image and likeness of God so that they could experience the life that God intended for them to live. However, it was the fall of man that caused separation from God, thus the reason why God sent His Son so that the image of God could be restored again within us. Ephesians 2:13-15 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. (14) For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (15) Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; (KJV) It actually takes two in order to make one new man; allowing the Spirit of Christ to bear witness to our spirit so that we can find out who we are in Christ, that new creation He intended for us to be and walk in. 1 Corinthians 15:48-50 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. (49) And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. (50) Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. (KJV) Showing up at Heaven’s gate with just a flesh and blood carnal resume will not get you access to your eternal reward. When mankind fell it was the image of God that needed to be restored in mankind, so that they could bear His image, which is in Christ. Colossians 1:13-15 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (14) In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (15) Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: (KJV) The second Adam, that being Christ, bearing witness to the first Adam, Jesus of Nazareth, was a perfect demonstration of the new life available to all mankind. If any man has not the Spirit of Christ, and a working knowledge of who they are in Him, then their life is incomplete and in need of a Spiritual jumpstart. Hebrews 1:1-3 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, (2) Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (3) Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (KJV) Jesus Christ accomplished everything needed so that we could walk in a newness of life and no longer have to experience the dead end results of our past one. Many of us were just empty shells, which though we bore the likeness or outward, it was the inward man or image that was missing from the equation. Romans 8:2-4 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: (4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (KJV) Are you tired of reading yesterday’s news; are you tired of old worn out doctrines that never get results? You are complete in Christ, and are blessed as well when you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and are no longer moved by what your outward senses would try to dictate. God bless Church, and let’s just have a bonfire and burn all those old junk tabloid papers from our past, and follow a new, very good script. God bless dearly loved and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. (17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (KJV)
You will find in the scriptures a common denominator or person when you see the terms new, new man, as well as a newness of life. You will see Christ is involved, because He is seated to the right hand of our Father showing us personally on a daily basis what is going on in the realm of the Spirit. The way you thought you knew the Lord, you know like all those silly little do’s and don’ts the religious people used to tell you worked, or all the phony rituals they claim that you need to follow, is not the way that you are going to get to know Christ personally. To sum it up, if anything or anyone is not in Christ, then that is something that should be passed by and left for dead if you are going to move forward in your walk with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. (17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; (18) While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (KJV) I know, when you look in the mirror you can see the outward man is starting to perish a bit, the miles are piling up on the odometer. However, spiritually you should be seeing things more through the eyes of the Spirit rather than just your old limited carnal vision which could never see what God had intended for you. The more time you spend looking above in the new realm of life that our Lord is operating in, then the less you will be entangled and caught up in the silly petty carnal things which are just temporal and not eternal. Ephesians 4:20-23 But ye have not so learned Christ; (21) If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: (22) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; (KJV) Many Christians are like one hit wonders, where they have an experience with the Lord and then that seems to be about it with them. Unless you are truly getting built up, and being taught who you are in Christ, and able to see the new life that He has for you, your carnal fickle mind will start looking elsewhere to fill the void in your heart. It takes a constant washing and renewing of the mind to stay in the Spiritual realm, otherwise we are operating according to our own righteousness, which is just filthy to say the least. Ephesians 4:24-25 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (25) Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. (KJV) Do you really desire to see some new results manifest from some of those old prayers that you prayed? Well, you are going to have to put on a new man, and quit lying to yourself and pretending that things are alright. Let me put it to you this way, every man is a liar until they come into agreement with God and the plan of salvation that He planned for them personally before the foundation this world. Hey, unless you show up Christ like, then don’t bother showing up at all. Psalms 103:2-5 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: (3) Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; (4) Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; (5) Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. (KJV) So do you come to the Lord like a child who is excited to learn something new? Even though we may have been on this planet for a number of years life can still be exciting and new if you continue in the newness of life that our Lord intended for you to walk in. Out of your mouth, which is an extension of the heart, will come rivers of living waters which will bring life to you, and to all those around you as well. God bless dearly loved and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Genesis 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (KJV)
So how are things really going in your walk with the Lord these days; are you really getting some new results with a new outlook daily, or does it seem like the same old merry go round, where you do the same thing and end up in the same place? Is your life more of a ritual, where you do things because you think you have to, because that is how everyone else does them, or are you coming out from among the average believer because you just won’t settle for anything less than very good? Romans 6:3-4 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (KJV) Thayers definition for ‘newness’: 2538 kainotes- newness; in the new state of life in which the Holy Spirit places us so as to produce a new state which is eternal life. Hey I thought baptism is where we dunk someone in water and everyone gets all giddy and excited? Yeah, that was the old way of doing things according to the old man and his carnal way of thinking. However, if you want some real results by walking a new path that leads to eternal life, then you will find that the things that our Lord made reference to according to the old law takes on a new meaning when dealing with the Spiritual meaning of His Word. Yes indeed baptism is so much more than just some old worn out ritual, rather it is actually a new way of life which begins with a death, that being our old man and its limited way of thinking. When I see so many caught up in these dead end carnal rituals that are nothing more than a waste of time, I see so many that don’t have a clue how to truly worship our Lord in Spirit and in truth. How about this Church, instead of immersing the outward man in carnal waters how about immersing that new man in some living Spiritual waters and see what manifests instead? Romans 6:5-7 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (6) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (7) For he that is dead is freed from sin. (KJV) Oh if we could just get ourselves out of the way so someone else could take over; wow, what a new realm we could truly operate in. So many, talk about a heavenly realm, yet so few live in it because they are not willing to die to self so that a new man could manifest and take over, which gets old fast people. Romans 6:8-9 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: (9) Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. (KJV) Want to know why many have a hard time believing? Well, it’s not until they let Christ in them come alive, and they start giving more ear to the inward realm rather than the outward fallen one that they will see any real transformation take place. You will not experience a resurrection Church until you take up your own cross and crucify whatever is holding you back from walking in a newness of life. Romans 7:4-6 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. (5) For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. (6) But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. (KJV) It amazes me to see how many profess to know God, however in works deny Him, and that would be the works of the law that many still act out and think are in play. Jesus Christ fulfilled the old law completely so that we could be complete in Him and walk in this newness of life that God intended for us to walk in. The letter of the law kills; however, the Spirit will bring forth a very good outcome to a very good plan which was ordained by our Lord just for you. So now go walk in it. God bless dearly loved and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (2) For by it the elders obtained a good report. (3) Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (KJV)
Those that have walked with our Lord and have been consistent in their walk are referred to as elders, because they obtained a good report card from our Lord. They are the ones that choose life over death, and have learned to walk by faith and not their carnal senses any longer. These are the people that are walking in a newness of life daily, and who do not settle for anything less than what God intended for them. These people know that God saw them before the foundation of the world and planned a very good outcome for their walk with Him, and will not settle for anything less. Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: (14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (KJV) Are you one of these people who just settle for what others tell you, or are you going to seek out the things of God and not quit until you find your place in His body of believers? It may sound like a simple question, even a no brainer; however, it’s amazing according to the scriptures how many do not find the path that leads them home. God’s picture perfect plan that He drew up for you today is not something that you will find in the outward realm of this world, rather it is located right inside of you and is the only place that you will find your answer. Matthew 16:24-26 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (25) For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. (26) For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (KJV) This is where many fall away, and never find the new life that God intended for them to find in Christ. Many still hang onto the old, and because of that they miss out on the new realm that our Lord would have them to operate in. It’s not until you die to self and let go of the old that you will then be able to find a new life in a new realm that our Lord was dying to give His people access to. Matthew 10:37-39 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (38) And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. (39) He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. (KJV) So how about it; is there anything or anyone that you are hanging onto that you hold in higher esteem than our Lord? Because if that is the case then you will not find that path that you need to be on, rather you will be on that wide track with all the other people pleasers of this fallen world. Matthew 19:28-30 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (29) And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. (30) But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. (KJV) You know, with many children the first words that they learn to speak is no, because that is what they hear the most from the parents. I have found out personally for myself that if the Lord says no to a situation in my life it’s because He has a better plan for it down the road. I have found that when I have let go of the old, then it allows the Lord to replace it with a hundredfold in return, in a new and better way. When I hang onto to old things, well, it just becomes old news in a hurry. God bless dearly loved and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Hebrews 11:1-3 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (2) For by it the elders obtained a good report. (3) Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. (KJV)
So whose framework are you living in today; that old boring limited realm of the flesh, or are you following a picture perfect plan from above? The things of this world get old fast, and never get you to the place that you need to be; while rising up and seeking those things which are above will get you into a new realm where all things should be new and exciting as well. Genesis 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (KJV) Everything God saw that He made turned out to be very good because God had planned a very good outcome for His creation. That would include you the believer in Christ, who was looking for something to fill that void you had in your heart because of the dead end life you were living. So can you truly say that you are in the framework of faith that God pictured you to be in, or have you painted yourself into a carnal corner? Matthew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (22) Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (KJV) Actually, many are going to find out that instead of inheriting eternal life, which God had planned out for them before the foundation of the world, they will end up in the obituary column, period. Many are going to show up and not be in a very good place spiritually, because somewhere along the line they ended up following the voice of a stranger and not the Lord. So in the end, what should have shown up very good ended up to be a cheap imitation of what our Lord intended because they never took the time to get to know the Lord personally. Revelation 20:12-15 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (13) And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. (14) And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (15) And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (KJV) If you notice, there is a book of life which is singular, followed by books which someone other than God wrote. If your name is not written in the book of life then the Lord will not acknowledge you as one of His people. Had you taken the time to know what the book of life said and how it applied to you, then you would have followed the instructions in that book faithfully to the end so that you wouldn’t have to give an account of things written in the books that were never intended to be written. Daniel 12:1-2 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. (2) And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (KJV) So whose script are you really following today; is it the one where all things are now new, or are you on an old slippery slope where you cannot stand and walk faithfully in it? God bless dearly loved and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Psalms 62:5-8 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. (KJV)
Now faith is the firm trust of things expected; the evidence of things not seen. We have been given in earnest through the Spirit the measure of faith. The expectation that whatever we ask according to God’s will, He will do it. The expectation that, of all that He has promised us from the beginning, according to His Word, He has fulfilled it. To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven; just because it doesn’t happen in our time frame, doesn’t mean that He has forgotten about us, or did not hear our cry; He knows the desires of our heart. He knows what we have need of before we ask. His thoughts and ways are above and beyond ours, and He can do above and beyond what we could ask or think. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (KJV) You and I; we have been called according to God’s purpose; in fact, everyone in this world has been called, the difference being, we have chosen to answer His call. Thus, our expectation is from Him; Christ in us. It is what gives us life and faith (firm trust) to expect the best in those things to come, in those things we cannot see, in those things of God that have been freely given to us through Christ. I encourage you this day, my beloved brethren, to let your soul wait only upon God and remember that your expectation is from Him. Let Christ be your salvation and your defence in and through all things this day. Don’t be moved, tossed to and fro by the cares and concerns of this life; instead remember that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you and in Him you have a place of refuge, a place of peace, where nothing in this life can get to you. Trust in Him at all times and pour out your heart before Him; and let Him hold and comfort you. And with patience wait upon the Lord, enter into His rest, and cease from your own works this day. Selah. Psalms 85:11 Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. (KJV)
Ephesians 4:20-24 But ye have not so learned Christ; (21) If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: (22) That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; (24) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (KJV) The truth of God’s Word is within each of us, in earthen vessels, Christ in you the hope of glory. Just as Jesus of Nazareth, who also was an earthen vessel, housed Christ (the Son of God, the Word) within him, so do each of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. John 1:14-17 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (15) John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. (16) And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. (17) For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ . (KJV) 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (KJV) Now that you have this treasure, Christ, the power and wisdom of God living and abiding within you, will you continue to treasure it, to receive life through Him? This is a treasure that we have been freely given, the price has already been paid; and we have access to the truth right now; today, you can allow the Holy Spirit to open up and enlighten your eyes to all that you have been blessed with in Christ Jesus, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; so go ahead, look and see that the Lord is good. When you accept Christ and continue in Him, know that you are a walking living treasure chest of truth and life in Christ, and that you are one who is able to distribute to the needs of others, Spiritually. Christ is to be a shared treasure, not one that you bury and hide from others, but one that is freely given because you realize that of nothing of yourself it was freely given unto to you. So let your light in Christ shine forth, share the truth of Christ with others as the Spirit leads and guides knowing that you won’t run out or lack, but that it will be ever flowing, a river of living waters straight from the throne of God. Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (KJV) The truth is within in you; continue to walk in truth my beloved brethren. Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. Psalms 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. (KJV)
Psalms 34:8 [O taste and see that the Lord is good] Apply to him by faith and prayer, plead his promises, he will fulfil them; and you shall know in consequence, that the Lord is good. God has put it in the power of every man to know whether the religion of the Bible be true or false. The promises relative to enjoyments in this life are the grand tests of divine revelation. These must be fulfilled to all them who with deep repentance and true faith turn unto the Lord, if the revelation which contains them be of God. Let any man in this spirit approach his Maker, and plead the promises that are suited to his case, and he will soon know whether the doctrine be of God. He shall taste and then see, that the Lord is good, and that the man is blessed who trusts in him. This is what is called experimental religion; the living, operative knowledge that a true believer has that he is passed from death unto life; that his sins are forgiven him for Christ's sake, the Spirit himself bearing witness with his spirit that he is a child of God. And, as long as he is faithful, he carries about with him the testimony of the Holy Ghost; and he knows that he is of God, by the Spirit which God has given him. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Once we taste or experience the goodness of the truth in Christ, our eyes become enlightened and we are able to see that the Lord is good, and that we can put our trust in Him. Yet how many stop and take the time to savor the truth, and see that the Lord is good and gracious? There are many who taste of the truth, but few who ingest it; few who will allow it to become a part of them. How often when we taste of the truth do we stop and savor it or meditate on it and allow ourselves to see the truth that will set us free and allow us to walk in liberty in an area of our life? To be set free from sin and death, and made alive in Christ with the bond of trust in Him strengthened? As we partake of the truth and ingest it into our being it strengthens and encourages us to continue in this truth that sets and keeps us free, to walk in the liberty that we have been given in Christ, and allows us to grow in trust and confidence in Him. So I encourage you to ingest the truth, receive liberty, and trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding so that you can continue to taste and see that the Lord is good; for all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Today is the day that the Lord has made; how pleasant are His words which are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. As always, my beloved brethren, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers. Have a wonderfully blessed day in Christ. Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. (KJV)
Colossians 3:15 [Rule in your hearts] Brabeuetoo (NT:1018). Let the peace of Christ judge, decide, and govern in your hearts, as the brabeus, or judge, does in the Olympic contests. No heart is right with God where the peace of Christ does not rule; and the continual prevalence of the peace of Christ is the decisive proof that the heart is right with God. When a man loses his peace, it is an awful proof that he has lost something else; that he has given way to evil, and grieved the Spirit of God. While peace rules, all is safe. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary) Colossians 3:15 Let the peace that Christ can give keep on acting as umpire in your hearts, for you were called to this state as members of one body. And practice being thankful. (Williams New Testament Translation) When there is peace all things are done decently and in order because we have kept our heart diligently and we have let our words be few. If you remember when the Lord was reviled He reviled not in return; when He suffered, He threatened not; instead He committed Himself unto God who judges righteously: this is where He had peace so that He could continue to hear clearly the counsel of God in and through all that came against Him. As well for us, it is casting all our care unto God and allowing Him to take care of our issues of life, remaining in His peace regardless of the external circumstances. Yet how often do we let our peace be stolen by the cares and concerns of this life, and what others may do or say? When we don’t get entangled in the affairs of this life it is easier to let the peace of God rule and reign in our hearts; we allow Him to do so much more when we remain in this state of heart and mind. It is when we step out of His peace that we have trouble in the flesh. So again I encourage you, my brethren, that regardless of what others are doing or saying please remain thankful and grounded in His peace, and let it rule and reign in you this day and continue to keep our heart and mind in Christ Jesus. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (KJV) 1 Peter 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: (KJV)
How do you react when you are reviled? By the way ‘reviled’ means to rail in reply. Do you take it patiently or do you entangle yourself and vomit right back in their face? For many of us this is the behavior that we learned, kindling the fire with the words of our mouth instead of leaving a situation or person alone, and walking away letting the fire burn out. Instead we made a fool of ourselves as well, and more so than not made ruin of a relationship. All of this we did to justify ourselves, and in return laid waste of ourselves; we laid out what was truly in our heart before God and before man, and left a waste land of hurt and pain in the wake. And once out there, the consequences are out there as well. Proverbs 18:19-21 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. (20) A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. (21) Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (KJV) Now as we see in 1Peter 2:23, that our Lord did not revile those who had reviled Him. Although He could have in a manner that would have convicted their hearts before God, but He chose to allow them to do that all on their own. He chose not to get into a pissing match with them so to speak; He discerned the situation and who was at the heart of it and chose not to engage, but instead, He remained silent knowing that the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God. He committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously. He yielded unto God, surrendered and intrusted His situation to the Father knowing in whom He is justified. Strong’s definition for ‘committed’: NT:3860 paradidomi (par-ad-id'-o-mee); from NT:3844 and NT:1325; to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit: KJV - betray, bring forth, cast, commit, deliver (up), give (over, up), hazard, put in prison, recommend. 1 Peter 2:23 (2.) Patiently: When he was reviled, he reviled not again (v. 23); when they blasphemed him, mocked him, called him foul names, he was dumb, and opened not his mouth; when they went further, to real injuries, beating, buffeting, and crowning him with thorns, he threatened not; but committed both himself and his cause to God that judgeth righteously, who would in time clear his innocency, and avenge him on his enemies. (from Matthew Henry's Commentary) Think about it, what does it profit anyone to get entangled in a war of words? Who benefits from it? Have you ever truly walked away satisfied or even justified? Or was there a sense of loss in your heart even though in your mind you felt that you had won? The only one who benefits is the father of lies, who enjoys seeing mankind rail on one another, and not only that, it gives him even more pleasure if he can get one of God’s children to engage as well so that he can accuse them before God. Knowing this, I encourage you dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. As the Lord committed Himself unto God, so do you likewise. |
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