Now, truth in love increases into fullness of Him, who is the head of the Church.1
Love never fails, but if there are prophecies these are set aside, if tongues they will cease, if knowledge it is set aside. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I possess prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all the faith that removes mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.3
This is Jesus, love that covered over a multitude of sin, and this is aprinciple of grace "it keeps no account of wrong."6 If you owe someone money, you are in debt, they keep an account of this debt and interest owed. Because of grace God doesn't impute or count sin toward us, it is covered or the debt is paid by the blood of Christ. Therefore love that "abhors what is evil, holds fast to what is good" doesn't impute or hold an account of it. Love doesn't operate in evil, it will bear the burden in love to save the soul of the brother who walks in error but it looks past the wrong and holds to the good. This is grace, where sin abounds grace over abounds. If agape love doesn't hold or impute or count sin then brotherly love should not either. Love has your back in your time of need, Biblical love says if you have worldly goods and see your brother or sister in need it will not turn its heart from you. Biblical love does good to everyone especially the family of faith.7
The one not loving doesn't know God, seeing that God exists as love.11
The lack of empathy, benevolence, good will, or love toward a brother is a sign of the lack of loving God and self-glory. Lovers of self and money is a sign of the end times, and of a church not abiding in God. If God is love and we know God then we love others.17 This was the Pharisee Jesus said, they were men pleasers, seeking the glory of men, not God, and the love of God did not exist in them. Yes, there are principles of sacrifice and serving, however, the overriding truth is if you don't love your brother you don't know God. Jesus said, some will call Him Lord but do not know Him, they do many mighty works in His name.
For many deceivers have gone out into the world... Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.29
We see reasons why the Church doesn't build upon the old, but the works of Christ. And we see why we should operate in this mindset of truth in love. It is the teachings of Christ and the warnings of Christ we should heed, these are not given to us for us to stick our head in the sand. When we have this mindset of sacrifice and serving, which neglects love then we do not operate in truth. If truth in love we do not operate in then in the name of saving lives we will loose souls. Jesus said the world should know us by our love for one another, for good reasons. A reason is that any other operating mode neglects the greater command to love, thus is disobedient to Christ, even though we say its for Jesus. An organization running all over people is not a testimony for Jesus, it looks like the world. Another reason is that the hireling under teachings of sacrifice and serving would use such to manipulate God's people, to be slaves and property of men. So we see there is much wisdom in "truth in love" or "faith working through Love." If the Church neglects love for one another then it is accomplishing nothing, this is a principle of truth in love.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hireling, because he is not a shepherd and the sheep do not belong to Him, sees the wolf coming and abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it."9
Notice it says the hireling is not a shepherd, this is true he is a wolf in shepherd's clothing. And we see another truth, who owns the sheep? the Good Shepherd who is Christ, everyone else is sheep. The strong become last to feed the weak sheep. The body is truly only as strong as its weakest member. Teachings of authority that teach men to lord over their brothers, and teach sacrifice, and serving as a means to control and manipulate people m, its lie will be seen in that it neglects the greater command to love. To neglect such truth in love is to be sheep led off to slaughter. What is most important? that we be slaves, servants, or children of God? We walk in newness of Life, having found it is profitable for us to live, to be active, to be made alive in Christ and to die is gain, for this purpose of Life, not to walk around as slaves.15
Some translations say "speaking the truth in love grow up in every way in Him..." but we see here the better translation is "truth in love." This "truth in love" it is the same concept of "faith working through love." This truth in love is what counts as it increases into the fullness of Christ. The fullness of Christ is grace and truth.2 The Church builds up into the stature of the full measure of Christ and operates "till we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;"8 If we want to be like Christ, a Christian, who is in the fullness of Christ, we now know the Way, truth in love.
I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.17
I write mainly about love today but we quickly establish truth and the way. Jesus is the Word that was God, who came in the fullness of the Father of grace and truth. He is the wisdom of God. He is the author of faith, of salvation, and exists as grace and truth. Faith is increased through truth and faith is active through love. The Way means road access, entrance. We know that Christ is the entrance, the door, "If anyone enters through me he is found, also he enters and proceeds and finds food, the impostor enters only to take away, slaughter, and lose. I have come in order that they might have Life and have it abundantly."18 The righteousness we receive as a gift is by faith according to grace, as grace reigns through righteousness, not under the Law. Therefore not in the old covenant, but in the new, do we gain wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ.18 If I build on another foundation, I neglect the words of Christ, the truth, and I have built a house on sand.
The one not loving doesn't know God, for the one God is love.8
The one not loving doesn't know God, for the one God is love.8
God is love and those who know God have been born of His Spirit, they are the temple of God. Therefore if I know God and God is love then I love others as God loves them. Well, you say love is preaching the gospel, "how can they call on whom they believe not? moreover, how can they believe if they have not heard, and how can they hear apart from proclaiming?" So you say get out of my way I am saving souls, but what good is preaching the gospel if you do not love? "I am a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." Well, you say I proclaim the good news or I give to those who do, I do many mighty works in His name, therefore, I know God and love. Jesus says, not all who do mighty works and call Him Lord will He know. Well, you say I tithe, give, spread the gospel, my brother in need I can overlook, Jesus will not mind. But I ask what gospel do you proclaim? how can they proclaim the good news if they have not faith? And what good is a proclamation of our faith if it is not active in love?
What good is spreading the gospel to the world if I do not love? What good is building up the Church in faith if I do not love? How can I ask the world to love God when we do not portray that God exists as Love? How can the Church spread the good news if it doesn't live to the words of Christ? It is a contradiction of truth. Peter writes, "for it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household"2 So we begin here, with the people of God "and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" We can begin, truth in love. What sacrifice does God desire? If we sacrifice love we sacrifice God, as God is love.
if I have all the faith that removes mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.6
if I have all the faith that removes mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.6
Without faith, it is impossible to please God, and faith without love is nothing. "James defines loving a brother as works of faith but John defines it as agape love. James argues in a different way that justification is by faith with works because faith without deeds of love doesn't profit us. Paul writes we are justified by faith, not by works, but also he writes faith without love profits nothing. So we see that love is the work of faith that James writes of, thus Paul and James agree. It is conditional truth, which can best be summed in "truth in love" or "faith working through love."4
This is to be the same commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he gave commandment to us.1
If God is love and to believe is to personally know Him then believing and loving is inseparable from each other, they are the same. Jesus said, the command to love God is like that of loving your neighbor as yourself. "You will love the Lord God of you... this is the great and foremost commandment, second, moreover the same like it, you will love the neighbor of you as yourself."3 John writes, obeying Him and loving my brother is how we know if we know God.6 If we do not love we are like the world. "Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister." And this is how we know we walk in Life, "we know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death."5 People who do not love these are dead people.
This is to be the same commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he gave commandment to us.1
Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,3
This is a defining factor between grace and a works justification, the one working works for a wage. The one who works for justification works for God's approval. If someone is working he "earns" a wage and can boast of it. The hypocritical Pharisee judges the works of others but not his own. If one is working for love then love has debt so the one who loves most owes most. Contrast this to God's grace in the new covenant, one doesn't work for God's love, and grace over abounds the wrong, and mercy triumphs judgement.
"Love that is genuine, abhors what is evil, holds fast to what is good. Be devoted to another with brotherly love, outdo one another showing honor."4
We see two Greek words for love in this verse, agape love and brotherly love. Love out does one another in showing honor, not like a worldly authority that "lords" over the brother, demanding honor. Teachings of authority like this seek its own honor above God and others. But love, "it does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking."8 What does it mean to abhor what is evil, and to hold fast to what is good? Some say it means to hate the sin but love the person, but we see elsewhere its meaning. Love abhors what is evil, holds fast to what is good, "it takes no pleasure in wrongdoing but rejoices in truth."8 It holds to the good looking past the bad.
"Love that is genuine, abhors what is evil, holds fast to what is good. Be devoted to another with brotherly love, outdo one another showing honor."4
We see two Greek words for love in this verse, agape love and brotherly love. Love out does one another in showing honor, not like a worldly authority that "lords" over the brother, demanding honor. Teachings of authority like this seek its own honor above God and others. But love, "it does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking."8 What does it mean to abhor what is evil, and to hold fast to what is good? Some say it means to hate the sin but love the person, but we see elsewhere its meaning. Love abhors what is evil, holds fast to what is good, "it takes no pleasure in wrongdoing but rejoices in truth."8 It holds to the good looking past the bad.
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.5
The one not loving doesn't know God, seeing that God exists as love.11
The lack of empathy, benevolence, good will, or love toward a brother is a sign of the lack of loving God and self-glory. Lovers of self and money is a sign of the end times, and of a church not abiding in God. If God is love and we know God then we love others.17 This was the Pharisee Jesus said, they were men pleasers, seeking the glory of men, not God, and the love of God did not exist in them. Yes, there are principles of sacrifice and serving, however, the overriding truth is if you don't love your brother you don't know God. Jesus said, some will call Him Lord but do not know Him, they do many mighty works in His name.
For many deceivers have gone out into the world... Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.29
We see reasons why the Church doesn't build upon the old, but the works of Christ. And we see why we should operate in this mindset of truth in love. It is the teachings of Christ and the warnings of Christ we should heed, these are not given to us for us to stick our head in the sand. When we have this mindset of sacrifice and serving, which neglects love then we do not operate in truth. If truth in love we do not operate in then in the name of saving lives we will loose souls. Jesus said the world should know us by our love for one another, for good reasons. A reason is that any other operating mode neglects the greater command to love, thus is disobedient to Christ, even though we say its for Jesus. An organization running all over people is not a testimony for Jesus, it looks like the world. Another reason is that the hireling under teachings of sacrifice and serving would use such to manipulate God's people, to be slaves and property of men. So we see there is much wisdom in "truth in love" or "faith working through Love." If the Church neglects love for one another then it is accomplishing nothing, this is a principle of truth in love.
Notice it says the hireling is not a shepherd, this is true he is a wolf in shepherd's clothing. And we see another truth, who owns the sheep? the Good Shepherd who is Christ, everyone else is sheep. The strong become last to feed the weak sheep. The body is truly only as strong as its weakest member. Teachings of authority that teach men to lord over their brothers, and teach sacrifice, and serving as a means to control and manipulate people m, its lie will be seen in that it neglects the greater command to love. To neglect such truth in love is to be sheep led off to slaughter. What is most important? that we be slaves, servants, or children of God? We walk in newness of Life, having found it is profitable for us to live, to be active, to be made alive in Christ and to die is gain, for this purpose of Life, not to walk around as slaves.15
"Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."9
No longer a slave, but a son. The overriding principle is that I am a child of God, and whatever you do to me you do to Christ.8 Woe to you if you cause His children to stumble! The problem seen in a church operating in this mindset of sacrifice and serving is that it neglects the greater command to love one another, this is a contradiction of truth. I can love the lost and love my brother, at the same time. In fact, it is not optional but a command, it is required of me, why is this so hard a concept to grasp? it is not difficult, and yet impossible without God which is why its a telling sign we do not abide in God when we do not love. He is love and to know and abide in Him is to love. Surely this mindset without loving would allow hireling to easily lead God's people away. It is a contradiction to say we are loving, all sacrificing for Jesus, so as to overlook the lies and manipulation of a person, this is no different than the drug addict manipulating people to get what he wants. And it is a contradiction to say we are spreading the gospel while overlooking loving my brother. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no empathy toward him, how can the love of God dwell in that person? it doesn't.
No longer a slave, but a son. The overriding principle is that I am a child of God, and whatever you do to me you do to Christ.8 Woe to you if you cause His children to stumble! The problem seen in a church operating in this mindset of sacrifice and serving is that it neglects the greater command to love one another, this is a contradiction of truth. I can love the lost and love my brother, at the same time. In fact, it is not optional but a command, it is required of me, why is this so hard a concept to grasp? it is not difficult, and yet impossible without God which is why its a telling sign we do not abide in God when we do not love. He is love and to know and abide in Him is to love. Surely this mindset without loving would allow hireling to easily lead God's people away. It is a contradiction to say we are loving, all sacrificing for Jesus, so as to overlook the lies and manipulation of a person, this is no different than the drug addict manipulating people to get what he wants. And it is a contradiction to say we are spreading the gospel while overlooking loving my brother. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no empathy toward him, how can the love of God dwell in that person? it doesn't.
Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.7
Think of the south during the civil war, they truly thought God was on their side, why? can we see the bias towards teachings like slavery? yes, and we can hear them preach things like you are property, owned, a servant and slave... Is it no wonder they thought slavery was ok? Certainly, such teachings benefited those who seek to control men. While there are teachings of sacrifice, serving, even such that we are slaves and property of Christ, these are for our growth, foremost, I am not a slave nor property of any man or institution, even if it calls itself a church. Do we see how hireling shepherds could manipulate such teachings for personal gain? Some would even use love, forgiveness, mercy these things of God to manipulate people, they do great wrong to you and then accuse you of wrong, when you say something. Oh you don't love, or you are not forgiving, or you are repaying evil with evil, you don't have servants heart... the hireling manipulates using these things against the people to control. Love doesn't ignore the wolf in sheep's clothing, that's a contradiction, to turn my eyes while the wolf scatters the flock. Our battle is not flesh and blood, but principles and principalities. Light exposes evil, and if I love Jesus I will love the sheep and want to protect them.
Think of the south during the civil war, they truly thought God was on their side, why? can we see the bias towards teachings like slavery? yes, and we can hear them preach things like you are property, owned, a servant and slave... Is it no wonder they thought slavery was ok? Certainly, such teachings benefited those who seek to control men. While there are teachings of sacrifice, serving, even such that we are slaves and property of Christ, these are for our growth, foremost, I am not a slave nor property of any man or institution, even if it calls itself a church. Do we see how hireling shepherds could manipulate such teachings for personal gain? Some would even use love, forgiveness, mercy these things of God to manipulate people, they do great wrong to you and then accuse you of wrong, when you say something. Oh you don't love, or you are not forgiving, or you are repaying evil with evil, you don't have servants heart... the hireling manipulates using these things against the people to control. Love doesn't ignore the wolf in sheep's clothing, that's a contradiction, to turn my eyes while the wolf scatters the flock. Our battle is not flesh and blood, but principles and principalities. Light exposes evil, and if I love Jesus I will love the sheep and want to protect them.
for false teachers of doctrines will appear, and present great signs and wonders so as to lead astray; oh if powerful even the elect"17
The opposite of truth is a lie. Thus lying tongues, that falsely accuse a brother, quick to do harm to a brother, quick to shed innocent blood, these things are an abomination to God. These who do such things and teach by example to do such things, these destroy trust and brotherly love, they do not build up but cause little children to stumble. These destroy the work of God, flee from these people and others who try to manipulate and control the sheep. Deceivers, con-artists, swindlers, greedy... these people would use the principles of God to manipulate others, so do not be deceived, judge them by their fruit. By their lack of empathy, and love toward their brothers, no matter how they try to manipulate others to cover the truth, you now know the truth, stand in truth. Truth in love, a true banner of the Church.
The opposite of truth is a lie. Thus lying tongues, that falsely accuse a brother, quick to do harm to a brother, quick to shed innocent blood, these things are an abomination to God. These who do such things and teach by example to do such things, these destroy trust and brotherly love, they do not build up but cause little children to stumble. These destroy the work of God, flee from these people and others who try to manipulate and control the sheep. Deceivers, con-artists, swindlers, greedy... these people would use the principles of God to manipulate others, so do not be deceived, judge them by their fruit. By their lack of empathy, and love toward their brothers, no matter how they try to manipulate others to cover the truth, you now know the truth, stand in truth. Truth in love, a true banner of the Church.
No one is able to serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, either he will be devoted to only one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and riches.18
Truth or a lie. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, Paul writes, and he writes that many in the church will be carried away by this love. One can't love God and love the world. This word for riches speaks of unrighteous riches, which is opposite of the riches of the kingdom of God.17 We see in the words of Christ and the writings of Paul, true riches are the ones that last into eternity, and "if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw..."13 These will burn up. True riches are that which profit the soul. The parable of the sower tells us what destroys the soul. And the parable of the dishonest steward tells us money is unrighteous wealth to be used for making friends of the kingdom.19 But what profit is this money to the kingdom of God without love? "If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing."12
and the cares of this world, and delusion of riches and the desire for things come in and choke the word and it becomes barren.14
Of the institution, we often hear it is to produce productive members of society, like the orphanage, for example. The orphanage without the love of God, is nothing, as is the institution of the family, community, and government. The desire for things has become the American dream; a house, car, refrigerator, microwave, TV, and smartphone... But what profit is such if our children lose their souls? It is the lie the American father has believed, I have worked hard to provide all these things, feed, clothe, and shelter my family, I am a good father? They spend all their time toiling for these things, but have no true relationship with their children. Wisdom is justified in her children, Jesus said. It is the American Church, toiling for Jesus without loving one another. What does it profit? What sacrifice does God require? to sacrifice love is to sacrifice God, as God is love. To not love is a contradiction of truth.
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?19
The word soul means "soul; heart, mind; a person" it is often used interchangeably with the word life. The soul is the immaterial (and eternal) part of the inner person. The inward part of the believer is born of Spirit, a new heart he delights in the things of God. But the carnal mind opposes God's laws, thus the mind must be renewed to the things of God. This development of the soul, is our reasonable service. Sanctification or transformation is being renewed in the Spirit of your mind and the washing of the Word. This is not just positive thinking but requires a total dependence on God, abiding in Spirit and Truth and an unyielding persistence on our part, give me bread!
Truth or a lie. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, Paul writes, and he writes that many in the church will be carried away by this love. One can't love God and love the world. This word for riches speaks of unrighteous riches, which is opposite of the riches of the kingdom of God.17 We see in the words of Christ and the writings of Paul, true riches are the ones that last into eternity, and "if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw..."13 These will burn up. True riches are that which profit the soul. The parable of the sower tells us what destroys the soul. And the parable of the dishonest steward tells us money is unrighteous wealth to be used for making friends of the kingdom.19 But what profit is this money to the kingdom of God without love? "If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing."12
and the cares of this world, and delusion of riches and the desire for things come in and choke the word and it becomes barren.14
Of the institution, we often hear it is to produce productive members of society, like the orphanage, for example. The orphanage without the love of God, is nothing, as is the institution of the family, community, and government. The desire for things has become the American dream; a house, car, refrigerator, microwave, TV, and smartphone... But what profit is such if our children lose their souls? It is the lie the American father has believed, I have worked hard to provide all these things, feed, clothe, and shelter my family, I am a good father? They spend all their time toiling for these things, but have no true relationship with their children. Wisdom is justified in her children, Jesus said. It is the American Church, toiling for Jesus without loving one another. What does it profit? What sacrifice does God require? to sacrifice love is to sacrifice God, as God is love. To not love is a contradiction of truth.
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?19
The word soul means "soul; heart, mind; a person" it is often used interchangeably with the word life. The soul is the immaterial (and eternal) part of the inner person. The inward part of the believer is born of Spirit, a new heart he delights in the things of God. But the carnal mind opposes God's laws, thus the mind must be renewed to the things of God. This development of the soul, is our reasonable service. Sanctification or transformation is being renewed in the Spirit of your mind and the washing of the Word. This is not just positive thinking but requires a total dependence on God, abiding in Spirit and Truth and an unyielding persistence on our part, give me bread!
exists no fear in love, but perfected love lays aside fear, for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been fully developed in love.20
Perfected in love means to "fully develop, complete, finish; (pass.) to reach a goal, be fulfilled, completed, made perfect." Perfecting is to advance a person to final completeness of character. We see this same concept, "truth in love increases into the fullness of Him."12 Increase is to "cause to grow or increase; pass. to be increased, enlarged." It is the principle of sowing that the growth of the seedling is proportional to the growth of the roots. Truth in love accomplishes much, "so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,"24 And establishes, "rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."25 This building up is in Christ and it is the purpose of the gifts in the Church.27 "for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes."28
For the Lord instructs His children, the ones loved, and scourges everyone he receives as son.24
This is no small observation, this word scourges is different than the word punish, so let us examine the meaning here. Paul writes "perfected love lays aside fear, for fear has to do with punishment," then he writes God loves and "scourges everyone he receives as son." So we ask does God use the fear of punishment to discipline us? To understand we look at the meaning of scourge and observe that Paul writes the Law had power in the fear of punishment and the new perfects us in Love. Scourge means to "whip, flog." John writes "no one born of God is established in sin, because God's seed abides in him, not sinning because born of God."25 A great promise for the child of God, "all things work out for his good." This word for sin means missing the mark of God's righteousness, so the child of God has a new divine nature, a seed is planted and will grow. Thus God is working out his salvation, therefore this flogging refers to the "works" of Christ, "he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was flogged so we could be healed."26 God loves us, and His Son took the flogging for us, so that we can be made whole. A son remains in the house forever, he is set free as he abides and knows the truth. So this scourging, flogging is our sanctification, and it requires truth in love or faith active in love.
but now, set free from sin and devoted to God, the fruit you get results in sanctification and that attained is eternal Life.27
Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?22
A true blessing is to find God trustworthy and faithful, to know that God loves us and cares for us, in such we will not be anxious about the things of this world. If God cares for the birds, how much more he cares for us. We are to be devoted to God, His kingdom first and all these things will be added. If this is how He instructs a child, rooted in love, then should not we? So we seek the things of God, spiritual blessings, in the knowledge of His Son, truly in these I can say my soul is blessed. I am blessed if I, am content in all things, enter His rest, know the peace of God that passes understanding, that my sins have been forgiven, and if I know the love of God that has no dimensions... just a few of the blessings we receive from the riches of His grace. It doesn't matter how much of the earthly things I have, if I lose my soul, what profit is it to me?
but now, set free from sin and devoted to God, the fruit you get results in sanctification and that attained is eternal Life.27
The child of God receives by faith the gift of righteousness, which is sown in peace, the fruit of righteousness, trust, and rest, results in sanctification, and its end is Life. The only way this sanctification works is truth in love, or faith active in love. Any other way is to be children tossed to and fro, to be sheep at the mercy of deceitful men. So we are established, "that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,"28 In truth the discipline of God is active in love, this is how God instructs those He loves, he establishes them in love and sanctifies them. We see this is our reasonable service and that the child of God is established in righteousness.
no one born of God is established in sin, because God's seed abides in him.25
We speak of Love in Christ, in the context of brotherly love, these are inseparable from one another. In brotherly love we see evidence of the fullness of Christ, and what we are to mature to. In it is the principle of Liberty which is operating in the principle of Love, that I build up my brother, not judge a child of God, a servant of Christ, as to cause him to stumble. In this genuine love, God's children are being molded into His workmanship. Truth in love is where maturity is seen by example, this is what influences others, so those who have been matured, they lay down their lives, becoming last, putting the little children in faith first. This is truth in love, as Jesus, the truth, laid down His life, in love.
no one born of God is established in sin, because God's seed abides in him.25
We speak of Love in Christ, in the context of brotherly love, these are inseparable from one another. In brotherly love we see evidence of the fullness of Christ, and what we are to mature to. In it is the principle of Liberty which is operating in the principle of Love, that I build up my brother, not judge a child of God, a servant of Christ, as to cause him to stumble. In this genuine love, God's children are being molded into His workmanship. Truth in love is where maturity is seen by example, this is what influences others, so those who have been matured, they lay down their lives, becoming last, putting the little children in faith first. This is truth in love, as Jesus, the truth, laid down His life, in love.
Indeed, in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision strengthens a person, except faith active through love.16
Here the word strengthen is the same word used in "strengthened because of the one who empowers me."17 The Law which had power through fear and death did not strengthen, empower, nor perfect one, thus being under the Law or not under the Law counts for nothing. There "exists no fear in love, but accomplished love casts out fear because fear has to do with punishment, so the one fearing is not perfected in love."18 Faith is active in love, so as James argues faith has works of love, and as Paul states, faith without love is nothing, More so, in accomplished love, which is perfected or being rooted and grounded in love, faith is active or increased. Faith and Love are inseparable from one another, as truth in love.
King of My Heart
"I desire repentance from my people"
Here the word strengthen is the same word used in "strengthened because of the one who empowers me."17 The Law which had power through fear and death did not strengthen, empower, nor perfect one, thus being under the Law or not under the Law counts for nothing. There "exists no fear in love, but accomplished love casts out fear because fear has to do with punishment, so the one fearing is not perfected in love."18 Faith is active in love, so as James argues faith has works of love, and as Paul states, faith without love is nothing, More so, in accomplished love, which is perfected or being rooted and grounded in love, faith is active or increased. Faith and Love are inseparable from one another, as truth in love.
King of My Heart
"I desire repentance from my people"