Love Fulfilled Ministry

  Surrender and Giving Control in Christian Thought: Scriptural Roots, Modern Interpretations, and the Quest for Spiritual Maturity Introduction The theological concept of surrender—or giving control to God—occupies a prominent place in the modern Christian consciousness. From pulpits, in devotional material, songs, and across a multitude of Christian traditions, believers are often exhorted to “surrender their lives to Christ,” to “give up control,” or to “come to the end of themselves.” These exhortations, frequently couched in emotive and urgent language, invite believers to a posture of yielding, releasing, and letting go. Yet, when this language is measured against the actual vocabulary, teachings, and emphases of the Greek New Testament, important questions emerge: How biblically grounded are the concepts of “surrender” and “giving control”? Does such language reflect the spiritual vision of the earliest Christian scriptures, or does it indicate a drift from the foundation...

 ✝️ Raised with Christ: Presented Resurrected Spiritually The concept of being “raised with Christ” is central to New Testament theology. It is not merely a future hope or a future resurrection of the body —it is a present reality that reshapes identity, purpose, and spiritual authority. Paul’s letters to the Colossians and Ephesians articulate this mystery with clarity and urgency: believers are not only forgiven through Christ’s death, but spiritually raised with Him into a new life. 1. 🔓 The Foundation: Raised with Christ Paul begins Colossians 3 with a declaration of spiritual reality: “ If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” — Colossians 3:1, MOUNCE This “if” is not conditional—it’s rhetorical. Paul assumes the truth of the believer’s resurrection with Christ. The Greek verb synegeirō (συνεγείρω) means “to raise together,” indicating a shared resurrection. This union is not metaphorical—it ...

🕊️ How We Come to Do the Will of God 📖 Introduction: The Cry for Divine Instruction Psalm 143:10 pleads, “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground” (MOUNCE). This Old Testament prayer reveals a heart yearning for divine guidance—not merely to know God's will, but to be taught how to do it. The psalmist acknowledges that obedience is not instinctive; it must be learned, and it requires the Spirit’s leading. This sets the stage for a deeper exploration of how believers, under the New Covenant, come to a place where doing the will of God becomes not just possible but natural—through transformation, endurance in faith and love. 📜 Old vs. New Covenant: From Fear to Wisdom Incarnate 🏛️ The Old Covenant: Wisdom Begins with Fear Under the Mosaic covenant, wisdom was rooted in reverent fear: “The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10, MOUNCE). This fear was terror, fear of punishment, and awe—a rec...

  The idea that “if we are truly called, we will overcome” is a deeply rooted theological concept, especially in Christian soteriology and eschatology. It’s often tied to doctrines of perseverance, divine election, and spiritual victory. Here's a breakdown of how this idea plays out: ✝️ Core Theological Themes 1. Divine Calling and Election In Reformed theology, being “called” refers to God’s sovereign act of drawing individuals to Himself. Romans 8:30 outlines a golden chain: “Those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.” The implication: if God truly calls someone, their salvation and ultimate victory are assured. 2. Perseverance of the Saints This doctrine teaches that those who are genuinely regenerated by God will persevere in faith until the end. Overcoming is not a human achievement but a sign of divine grace at work. Revelation repeatedly promises rewards “to the one who overcomes,” linking per...

🕊️ Fear and Love in the New Testament: Reconciling The Tension The New Testament presents a rich tapestry of theological themes, to be sought in a spirit of wisdom and understanding. Among the most seemingly paradoxical are the concepts of fear and love . At first glance, they appear to be opposing forces—one rooted in reverence or dread, the other in intimacy and assurance. Yet Scripture does not treat them as mutually exclusive. Instead, it invites believers into a nuanced, relationship with both, characterized by subtle shades of meaning revealing that fear and love, rightly understood, are not contradictory but complementary in the life of faith. 💖 Love That Casts Out Fear In 1 John 4:18 , the apostle John writes with striking clarity: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and the one who fears has not been perfected in love.” (ESV) This verse is often cited to emphasize the security believers have in God's lo...

🕊️ New Testament Love: Loving One Another as Christ’s Brethren 📖 Introduction Love is the defining mark of the New Testament church. While outreach and evangelism are vital expressions of Christian witness, the New Testament places a profound emphasis on inward love—love among believers, especially toward the “least” of Christ’s brethren. This love is not sentimental or abstract; it is sacrificial, covenantal, and rooted in the very character of Christ. Jesus and the apostles consistently taught that the authenticity of our faith is revealed in how we treat fellow members of the body. 💬 Jesus’ Command: Love One Another as I Have Loved You Jesus inaugurated a new ethic of love within the community of His disciples: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. ” —John 13:34–35 (ESV) This command is not generic humanitari...