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Romans 5:5-8 And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (KJV)
God sent His message of love through His Son, and only those that respond in love will understand how His plan of salvation really works. How about responding in love even when it is not convenient for us? You will find that some situations and some people are not as easy to love as others, but that is no excuse for not letting the love of God flow through you. In fact the word shed in verse 5 means to gush out of. So in order to keep living waters gushing out of you like a fire hydrant, you will need to practice what I will refer to as a bit of inconvenient love at times. Matthew 5:43-45 Ye have heard that it hath been said; Thou shall love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (KJV) Remember the scripture that talks about the last being first and first last? Sometimes the last thing you want to do is love someone that has not been so loving to you, but the first response our Lord is asking of you is to continue to reach out and respond in a loving way, just like our Lord did with us when we were still sinners. Another way of looking at it is being instant in season and out of season; season referring to a person or situation you may not think is deserving of much love. Romans 12:17-21 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shall heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (KJV) They that are truly Christ’s are the ones that overcome evil and are not taken down by the things of this life. If you desire to grow and mature in the realm of the Spirit then you will have to crucify some of your affections and lusts of the flesh in order to keep the love of God flowing through you, and no one said it was going to be easy. Matthew 7:12-14 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do you even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. 13 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 there at: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (KJV) When reading verse 12 we see that we need to do unto others what we would like seen done to us. It doesn’t say we do to others what they have done to us does it? God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. (KJV)
Don’t ever think less of yourself according to the outward because that is not how God sees you. God is looking within to see if you desire to stay within His kingdom and that your love and commitment to Him is not based on whether you have a big following or congregation; He is looking at the inward thoughts and intents of your heart. Psalms 139:1-3 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knows my down sitting and mine uprising, thou understands my thought afar off. 3 Thou compasses my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. (KJV) Instead of trying to hide things from the Lord, which only delays the process, why not examine yourself openly and honestly today and get rid of anything unhealthy that weighs you down and holds you back from serving Him. Our Lord deals with reality, and not imaginations. Imaginations are like an anchor to many Christians who let imaginary thoughts keep them in bondage, instead of looking to the reality of what our Lord would like to see them walking in today, that being a deeper love and commitment to His word. Jeremiah 17:9-11 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. 11 As the partridge sits on eggs and hatches them not; so he that gets riches, and not by right, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a fool. (KJV) Mankind has hatched many doctrines and denominations that are not based on a love for our Lord, but on a love for the things of this fallen realm. The Lord is doing a daily search to see who is willing to serve Him today, in spirit and in truth. If neither one of these two is in order then He will just pass by and look for someone else. Not something you want to see happen, do you? 1 Corinthians 11:28-30 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (KJV) Our Lord is like a coach looking down the bench to see who is available. Many are on the injured list because their motives were not right and they became weak, sick, or fell asleep at the wheel on the way to the stadium. Psalms 26:1-3 Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. 2 Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. 3 For thy loving kindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. (KJV) Do you desire to be used of our Lord? Then you will need the right motive based on love. The word of God is described as being a pure river of life flowing your way from His throne. So Church let’s get rid of all the junk and impediments in your stream so that you can let this love continue to flow through you. Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (KJV) God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 5:6-8 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. (KJV)
Thayers NT Definition For Pure 2513 katharos- 1) free from corrupt desire, from sin and guilt 2) free from every admixture of what is false, sincere genuine 3) blameless, innocent 4) unstained with the guilt of anything. Once we get some of the spiritual obstacles out of the way then we are able to see and understand the Lord better. It’s kind of like windshield wipers that get rid of the muck and grime so that you can see the path of life the Lord would have you walk in today. God sent us His Son who was purely motivated by a love not only for His Father in heaven, but also for all mankind, even when they were still living in sin. In order for you to move forward in your walk you will need to have a pure love for God to see that accomplished. Psalm 19:7-9 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. (KJV) There is a commercial that uses a solution for getting the red out of the eyes so that one can see clearly. Our Lord has provided His church living spiritual waters that will enlighten the eyes of our understanding so that we can see clearly. 1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: (KJV) We have been talking about our love for God and we see it has to be done with a pure motive or else it just won’t be effective, or pleasing to our Father in heaven. After all isn’t He the only one that really matters anyway? Psalm 24:3-4 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. (KJV) Have you done all to stand today, having your loins gird about with truth and a breastplate of righteousness? Only if you have a real love for the Lord, and a pure motive for serving Him, will this be a reality. Matthew 23:25-28 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. (KJV) A lot of stuff man tries to pawn off as truth, or the love of God, in the end just doesn’t work as far as He is concerned. What man says is pure, and what God considers pure in His sight, is as different as night and day. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Luke 16:13-15 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. 15 And he said unto them, ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. (KJV)
We have talked this week about motives and our true intents; what do we really esteem the highest in our walk, a true love for the Lord and what He has done for us, or are we still clinging to some other love, one we think we can stash and hide in some deep dark closet of the heart? In our Lord’s time, when He went into the temple He saw an abomination taking place and turned it upside down when he overturned the tables of the moneychangers. Today for some unknown reason mankind thinks they can set those tables back up again and not get the same response from the Lord who clearly says that He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. (KJV) Do you realize the love of God is shed in the heart, and not the wallet? Have you learned to be content; are you in a place where you realize all that the Lord has done so that you can have access to eternal life, instead of strife? Are you content with the fact that not only do you know God, but that you are known of Him as well? 1 Timothy 6:9-11But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. (KJV) In a marriage, when someone tries to take a lover on the side it never has a happy ending. The same premise holds true in the Lord’s realm when the so called church tries to mix and match a love for the Lord with a love of money. It’s not the money itself that is the issue because it’s something we all have to deal with. Instead of flocking to these organizations that put more emphasis on money than the Lord you should be heading for the exits. The reality is when you allow your love for the Lord to be compromised with anything in this carnal realm, a spiritual plague that is taking down many today and drowning them in destruction, and perdition, it will take you down as well. Proverbs 28:20-22 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that makes haste to be rich shall not be innocent. 21 To have respect of persons is not good: for a piece of bread that man will transgress. 22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him. (KJV) Many of God’s people have sold out, and instead of preaching sound doctrine, they are tickling the ears of others with their promise of liberty, when the reality is they are servants of corruption themselves. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. (KJV)
It’s time for a spiritual reality check; ask yourself honestly, what really motivates me, and what is the true reason I do the things that I do? Is it based on a pure love for the Lord? If not, then as you can see clearly illustrated throughout chapter 13, your reality check will bounce. The Bible is very specific to point out that many are called to serve the Lord, but in the end, few are chosen. Obviously many are not serving Him with the right motive of the heart, and some other reason has taken root instead. Mark 9:33-35 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, what was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? 34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, if any man desires to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. (KJV) The things of God totally contradict the things of man, and what they think is number one. Actually, when you serve the Lord with the right motive, you are more concerned with the needs of others than yourself. Does that sound familiar, or is it something foreign to you? Maybe this is the reason why your walk has been a bit stale, or at a standstill lately? Mark 10:28-31 Then Peter began to say unto him, lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30 But he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. 31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first. (KJV) Again, we see what has happened with the many that have been called by the Lord; they just don’t last, well at least not in His kingdom. The Lord will ask His people to take up their own cross and die to some things or even people that may have been near and dear to them so that they can receive and bring forth the fruit of the Spirit, hundredfold to full maturity. I know many false prophets have been claiming that hundredfold means you get a wad of cash, but the reality is that they are telling you their true motive and what they really love. Paul describes this in the book of Timothy as a love of money, which is the root cause of all evil intentions. And that Church just won’t last, or fly under the Lord’s radar. God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Proverbs 16:1-3 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. 2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. 3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. (KJV)
This week the question dares to be asked, what is your real motive for serving the Lord? Is it for fame and fortune, to build a big following, or do you consider yourself in the column of the few and true, motivated only by a love for the Lord? Are you really committed to the Lord and what He is asking of you personally, or do you consider commitment simply showing up at a building on Sunday morning good enough? Matthew 6:5-6 And when thou prayest, thou shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. 6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (KJV) One thing that just rubs me the wrong way is people who think their prayers will be more effective if they have an audience. I watch them in restaurants when they make it a point to be seen so that everyone knows they are praying over their meal. My question is are they really praying for a blessing over the meal, or is it their way of letting everyone know they are Christians? 1 Peter 2:21-23 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judges righteously: (KJV) I believe the above example falls into the category of love for God, and reveals how the Lord truly walked, and that He didn’t just put on a good show. How committed are you to the Lord today and what is your motivation? Is it based on a love for God? And when the sufferings take place (which all in Christ must go through), will you spend most of your time talking about the problem with others, or will you give the solution over to the Lord in prayer? God bless dearly loved, and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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