Love Fulfilled Ministry

therefore then having the opportune time labor to do good for the benefit of all, now, most of all for the benefit of the family of faith . (Galatians 6:10) We are to be good to all people when we have the opportune time, but most of all we are to be good to the household of faith. It is a profound thing Paul writes that fits with what Jesus said. Let us look at other scriptures that support what Paul is saying and why understanding this is so important. We love Jesus and want people to know him and do not want to be a hindrance to those called to eternal glory. a new commandment I give to you; love one another just as I loved you, you must love one another, in this, all know because you exist, my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34-35) This is a profound verse, a heart-changing verse. People will know we are disciples of Jesus because we love one another. It is a command thus people will know we obey Jesus by how we follow his command to love one another. He could...

And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you sent (John 17:3) In Christ, we are blessed with all the spiritual blessings in the heavenlies. What blessings? in Christ, God chose us before he created the world to be holy, in his presence, in love (Ephesians 1:4). This is eternal life, Jesus said, that they may know you the Father and the Son. This is eternal life that we know the Father through the Son, the word of God. Eternally chosen before creating the world to be his eternal people. How were we chosen? in Christ, we received the promised Holy Spirit, in which predestination is fulfilled, the Spirit is one of adoption who cries out in us Abba Father, testifying we know the Father and that we are his children.   Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal encouragement and good hope by grace, (2 Thessalonians 2:16) We know of God's love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). And to...

therefore what fruit having at that time to the extent of which you are presently ashamed? For the goal of it was death . (Romans 6:21) Shame is much like sorrow and fear, in that it can be good or bad. There is worldly sorrow that leads to death, and there is godly sorrow, of the will of God, that leads to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). There is a spirit of timidity and fear not from God (2 Timothy 1:7). And there is godly fear in which is the working out our salvation (Philippians 2:12). When is a shame a good thing? If one is in Christ, then they can not sin without feeling shame, this is a godly shame. When I did not know Christ, I existed of sin, of the sinful nature, producing the fruit of that nature which leads to death, and I was free in regards to righteousness (Romans 6:6:20). "Now at the present freed from sin, now, devoted to God, the fruit you get to the extent sanctification, now, its goal; eternal life" (Romans 6:22). The outcome or fruit of sanctificati...

Again Jesus spoke to them saying 'I am the light of the world, the one following me, no not walks in darkness rather has the light of life.' (John 8:12) The one following me no not walk in darkness. No, οὐ (ou) objectively negates a statement "ruling it out as a fact." God is Light, this is a fact, "and this exists the message which we heard from him and proclaim to you; God is light and there is not one (ou "no, not" and heís, "one") darkness in him" (1 John 1:5). It is also true that "if we walk in the light like as he exists in the light, we have fellowship with each other..." (1 John 1:7).  "The people living in darkness have seen a great light, and on those living in the region and shadow of death, a light has dawned.” (Matthew 4:13-16) It was prophesied that Jesus would come as a great light to the Gentiles. John writes, "in him was life, and that life was the light of men" ( John 1:4). Think about that, ...

“ If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him " (John 14:23) There is no place like home, that is what they say. Some like me have really never had a home. Some are orphaned or put into foster homes and homes for boys and girls. Hopefully perhaps some of them will find a home. Some have a "house" to live in but it is not a home, there is a difference. Not having a "home" is a crisis affecting many children today. *  When I became a believer I remember the peace I experienced and the voice I heard, saying "you are home." Our heavenly Father calls us home, staying home is where we belong, and he has prepared a heavenly home for us.  “Come to me, all the ones weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28) The old gospel hymn sings, "Come home! come home! Ye who are weary, come home!" For those, he has called home he blesses in Christ with the prom...

now, in that, your hearts set apart Christ, Lord. .. (1 Peter 3:15) The word 'set apart ἁγιάζω ( hagiazō ) means to consecrate, set apart as holy, sanctify, hallow, purify. When Jesus taught the disciples to pray he starts with this word, "our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name." (Matthew 6:9). God is holy, his name is to be revered but perhaps the purpose of starting our prayers with such recognition is to set apart our hearts to him? Certainly, Peter explains to us what it looks like to set apart our hearts, it is not the outward beauty that pleases God, "rather the inward person of the heart, the incorruptibility of a meek and tranquil spirit, which in the sight of God is precious" (1 Peter 3:4). therefore put aside all uncleanness and abundant depravity, receiving in meekness the implanted word of God, that is powerfully able to save your souls. (James 1:21)  Peter writes the goal of faith is the salvation of our souls (1 Peter 1:9). This really p...

I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who abides in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing . (John 15:5) If we could simplify the Christian life down to one thing what would it be? We can talk about salvation through faith alone or faith is dead without works but the simple matter of it all is we can not bear fruit or good works without abiding in Christ. This is what Jesus said, "abide in me and I will abide in you. Just as the branch is not able to bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in me" (John 15:4). On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:22-23) You can't be a person who does good works unless you are in the Vine, Christ. In other words, no matter how many goo...

Who is wise and understanding among you? From his good conduct show that he works in gentle wisdom . (James 3:13) The one who is wise from his good (beautiful, honorable, good to look at) conduct (mode of life, how one conducts their life) show (present to light, exhibit, make known) that his works in gentle (meek,  kindness, forbearance) wisdom. The essence of a wise person is that they are mature. It is a mature plant that bears fruit. We are a letter, a "poem, created in Christ Jesus prepared in advance to do good good works, so that we walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10)  does a source pour forth from the same opening both sweet and bitter?.. can a fig tree produce olives or grapevine figs?... who is wise and understanding among you? (James 3:11-13) A bridle is put in a horse's mouth so that it may be guided and controlled. If someone can not bridle or control their tongue James writes they are not mature in understanding and wisdom. If someone can't bridle or control ...

Now, if any of you lacks wisdom ask God the one giving generously to all and not asking with reproach and it will be given him. Now, ask in faith without thoroughly judging for the one thoroughly judging is like a sea wave driven by the wind and tossed about . (James 1:5-6) Ask God for wisdom, without judging according to circumstances of this world but ask with the right mindset, in faith believing it will be done. Now picture what is happening here, there is a trial going on, endurance and wisdom are needed, and to have wisdom so to endure one must ask of God and ask in faith. This intrinsically connects receiving the wisdom of God with faith in overcoming the trial. Maturity, James writes is the outcome of the work of endurance and the fruit of maturity is wholeness, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-5).  Maturity produces a "lacking in nothing," thus the statement "if any of you lacks wisdom ask God" ties maturity to receiving wisdom from God. Certainly not a wisdo...

all mine, but not all profitable, all mine but I will not be overpowered under any whatever. The food, [for] the belly, and the belly, [for] the food. Now, God will render useless also this and the other. Now, the body is not for fornication rather the Lord's and the Lord the body, and God also raising the Lord also raises us through His power . (1 Corinthians 6:13-14) What goes into the mouth does not defile a person, it is what comes from the heart (Matthew 15:11 ). God gives us all things needed for life and godliness through the knowledge of Jesus and has called us into his glory (2 Peter 1:3). And He who gave his son will graciously give us all things (Romans 8:32). All things are mine, but not all things are profitable, and some things will overpower ; will have, or exercise power or authority over or to possess independent control over, will subject us under the power or influence of. So the body is the Lord's and the Lord's the body, what does this mean?  Therefo...