Love Fulfilled Ministry

" So the law was our schoolmaster until Christ came that we might be justified by faith . " 1 This word for schoolmaster is also translated as "guardian, tutor" it is from país , "a child under development by strict instruction" properly, a legally appointed overseer , authorized to bring up a child by administering discipline, chastisement, and instruction. Paul writes the Law was the schoolmaster until Christ. Under the Law punishment or chastisement was central to discipline and obedience, its power was through the fear of punishment. In the new covenant we are released from the old school master, Christ is Master, our new School Master, in Him we find justification by faith and the mastering of sin under Grace not under the letter of the law. " who has made us sufficient servants of a new covenant --not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills , but the Spirit gives life . " 2 Proponents of the "letter," the ...

" Therefore having left the beginning, teaching Christ to maturity we should move on, not again laying a foundation of repentance from dead works and faith in God ." 1 Moving on, having laid the foundation teaching, those of Repentance from Dead Works and Faith. This word for repentance, refers to a "change in mind" but the idea is that of "turn." Turn from dead works, or change the way you are doing something, we see this concept often in the old testament, for example, turn from your idols back to God. Now, one can say that "dead works" refers to sin as some teach repentance to be a "turn" from sin, but it is by faith we please God thus works without faith are dead works and faith without love is nothing. Now, we are dead in sin, so we can say we must turn from sin but it is in belief that I am made alive thus in unbelief I am dead. Repentance in Christianity, in its simplest form, is a turn from dead works to works of faith.    ...

" work not for food perishing but for the food enduring unto life eternal which the Son of man gives to you ..." 1 Jesus is the Son of Man, he spoke of signs as those the children of God had experienced in the wilderness. He is lifted up for salvation, as the serpent was, so that all who look upon him will be saved. Like the rock from which water flowed, He is the Rock in which living water flows. Like the manna from heaven that fed God's people in the wilderness He is the bread from heaven. Jesus said this bread and water he gives is unto eternal life, it is food that doesn't perish. Those who are thirsty and hunger seek such food. Do not toil for earthly food but heavenly food that gives eternal life and satisfaction to the soul. "which the Son of man gives to you , whom the Father God has sealed ." 1 This word for seal , "sealing, attest ownership , authorizing ." God placed his seal on Jesus, authorizing the way to the Father, by Grace t...

" To know wisdom and instruction, to discern words for understanding, to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity. " 1 A wise man knows, perceives, receives, and gives understanding to the young . A wise man will hear, and increase learning, he is a man of understanding and will attain wise counsel so as to understand a proverb, an enigma, the words of wise and their riddles . The Bible states wisdom cries out in the streets, a fool despises wisdom and understanding, but a wise man listens to her calling. "A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge ." 2   To know wisdom ... A wise man knows wisdom, this word for know has much meaning in Hebrew as it does in Greek, it speaks of experiential knowledge, not just head knowledge. It is the principle of sowing that requires not just hearing but understanding. It means to know, learn to know , good and evil. We know that in the end times ...

" Surely God stills my soul, because he is my hope ." 1 Another translation of this verse is "be still my soul, for my hope is from him." This word for "be still" is damam , "be silent, be still, quieted is my soul, be astounded, hold peace." God stills the soul because he is our hope or expectation. This word for hope is tiqvah , literally, a cord; figuratively, expectancy -- expectation ((-ted)), hope, live, thing that I long for. This is our hope, a cord tied to a sure God who is faithful and true. Be still my soul for God is my hope, provider, he is the substance of things hoped for, my peace, and in whom I put my trust. I find rest in Him, my soul is stilled, for I have learned to put my trust, hope, expectation in him. " We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure ..." 2 Real Hope. In the new covenant we are sealed by His Spirit, we can say we are attached by such a "cord," an anchor to Him and we...

" Forever, O God, Your word is settled in heaven ." 1 The eternal security of the believer is something we often overlook in teaching, and I believe that many of God's children do not have assurance in their salvation. Without assurance how can a child grow up? move on to deeper maturity? how can the church be a witness when it is not assured of its own salvation? I found the writings of Harry Ironside helpful in my seeking, such gave me insight, particular his Full Assurance message.2 Without such a solid foundation, we are tossed to and fro, by the winds... blessed assurance can be found in the Word of God, Jesus. "I have had but one outstanding object before me - to make as plain as I possibly can just how any troubled soul may find settled peace with GOD..." -- Harry Ironside Ironside was speaking to people who may believe "but  someway have missed the "peace of a perfect trust," and though earnestly desiring to know the LORD, are fl...

" We should come then with confidence to the throne of Grace that we might for the purpose of receiving mercy and finding grace in time of assistance ." 1 This word for confidence , parrésia " freedom, openness, especially in speech; boldness, confidence," (from pas and a derivative of rheo ; all out-outspokenness, i.e. frankness, bluntness.) By Grace through faith the throne is as approachable as little children coming to Jesus. In fact Jesus said we must become like little children to enter. Let us approach the throne in confidence knowing we have such access in Christ. " Having then brothers, confidence for the entering the holy place by the blood of Jesus ." 3 It is fitting t he Father sits on a throne of Grace, as His Son came in the fullness of the Father, of Grace and Truth. " Through whom we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand ... " 4 Yes, we can approach the throne because Christ is our righteousness, Jere...

" Indeed, of him we are workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God predestined that in them we should walk ." 1 This word for predestined, (from pró , "beforehand" and hétoimos , " make ready, prepare ") – properly, made ready in advance. It is derived from a word that means fitness thus "fitting, prepared," ready for use. This word for workmanship is poiém , "a thing made, a work, workmanship." The workmanship is this thing made, a new creation in Christ Jesus, made alive, prepared beforehand ready for good works. " because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ ," 2 " Indeed, he says in the time acceptable, I listened to you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. Behold, now is the time of God's favor, behold, now is the day of salvation . " Salvation made ready . Today is fitting, ready for salvation. Jesus spoke of maidens who were pr...

" always the death of Jesus in our body carrying about that also the life of Jesus in the body of us manifested. " 1 This word for carrying about is from peri "about, around" and phero , "carry, bear." Paul most likely is relating this to his experience of being shipwrecked, we can picture him being tossed to and fro, carried about by the winds in the storm. We carry about the death, such speaks of "carrying some burden," "to move by bearing," "to bear up." Such is a quality of agape love, all things it "bears, believes, hopes, endures," such bearing of burdens fulfills the law of Christ. This bearing comes with a promise, "to death are being delivered on account of Jesus, that also the life of Jesus might appear in the mortal flesh of us ." 2 " one another's burden bear and you shall fulfill the law of Christ ." 3 This word for bear is báros, "heavy weight" – properly, ...

" precept upon precept , precept upon precept , line on line, line on line, a little here and a little there... " 1 This word for precept means "order, commandment." This word for " upon precept " means "order" both words are from tsavah , "commanded" so properly a "command ordered" or Command upon command, Precept Upon Precept... This word for line is from qavah ; a cord (as connecting), especially for measuring; figuratively, a rule. Command upon command, Rule upon rule, " a little here, a little there, that they may go and stumble backward, be broken, snared and taken captive ." 2 “He will be a holy place; for both Israel and Judah he will be a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem he will be a trap and a snare . ” 3 Yes, Israel stumbled and why did they stumble? " It is the LORD of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be yo...

" Finally, be empowered ( endynamousthe ) in the Lord ( Kyriō ) also in the dominion ( kratei ) of the strength ( ischyos ) of him ." 1 This word for empowered, endunamoó , "power, ability" (from en "in," and dynamóō, " sharing power-ability") – properly, to impart ability (make able); empowered. We are imparted this power or ability in Christ, it is this power that gives one dominion or power to rule over sin. This word for dominion, kratei , it is from a root meaning "to perfect, complete." This ruling over sin is not under law but " in the dominion of the strength of him" or the ability or power he gives. We must be empowered by Christ to have dominion thus power over sin. " with all power, filled with power according to the glorious dominion of him... " 2 Dominion is a difficult word to express in English words, many have attempted to convey its meaning with words like strength, power, might... ...