It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. Proverbs 25:2

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Spiritual Battles in the Natural World Are   Fought With The Truth 

There has been a spiritual war since Satan’s rebellion against God in heaven and again when he caused mankind to rebel in The Garden. Pride caused Satan to want to lift himself above the throne of God resulting in a war in heaven and because of Satan’s hatred of God he is trying to lead all who are created in God’s image, astray. 

Many people are ignorant of the spiritual battle that is going on between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan and hisstrongholds used against humanity. Even more people are ignorant of the weapons of warfare that we have to use against the strategies and schemes of the enemy, Satan. 

Revelation 12: 7-9 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.  But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven.  The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. NIV

2 Corinthians 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. NIV

We are spiritual beings created in God’s image, living in a natural body and we have a living soul. Our soul has three parts; our mind (our thoughts/attitude); our will (our resolve/ability to choose) and our intellect (our understanding/emotions) which all lives in our natural body here on earth. Though mankind was created by God to be in relationship with God, the enemy of God deceived them and caused them to rebel against God’s purpose for their lives. 

Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” NIV

Genesis 2:7 Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. NIV

Satan deceived mankind in the Garden of Eden to rebel against God and then he took their God given dominion over the earth, and established a satanic, counterfeit and fallen kingdom on the earth. Since the fall of mankind Satan was ruling as the prince of darkness, the prince of the power of the air. Everyone born in this world at one time walked in this darkness and was disobedient to God’s word.  Then Jesus came in the form of man and conquered Satan, his lies and regain dominion, power and all authority back for the Kingdom of God. 

Ephesians 2:2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. NIV

Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. NIV

Humanity has proven that it is unable to live in forgiveness, righteousness and God’s love on its own. Therefore, God has given His Son Jesus to be the payment for our sins, and has given us His Word to lead us in all truth. And He has sent His Holy Spirit to indwell and empower us to be able to walk in His Righteousness, His love and His forgiveness. We are to use His spiritual weapons of warfare against the enemy who has come to entrap us in his lies and deceitfulness. 

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. NIV

Just as Jesus used the written word of God to battle against the lies of Satan in the wilderness, we too must use the word of God as our weapon of warfare. We are to know the truth of the word, many of us have heard the truth, but do not know it, orbelieve it, nor have confidence in in it, as the all-powerful word of God.

Matthew 4:1-4 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.  After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.  The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ 

Matthew 4:7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ 

Matthew 4:10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ 

Jesus said you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. But it has to be “the truth that you know, comprehend,grasp and operate in, that will free you from the schemes of the enemy.”

It is the truth of Jesus that we put into practice that will set us free. Not some teaching or Bible story we have heard but are not too sure about.

John 8:32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” NIV

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 Our Forgiveness Was A Great Cost To God 

We may come to God in an emotional state of despair, anguish and hopelessness because our sins are so overwhelming to us.  Some may have given up and have lost heart in believing that they will ever be made right with God or forgiven. But in every situation God has provided a way of escape.

Sin is a serious matter to a Holy and Righteous God and it cannot be taken lightly. It was of a very high cost to God, at the expense of the blood, death and resurrection of Jesus His Beloved Son. At this great cost, God was able to atone and pay the costly sin debt that all mankind owed because of their rebellion against Him.  

Romans 3:25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— NIV

I Corinthians 10:13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. NLT

Sin cannot stand before God’s Righteousness and Holiness; light and darkness cannot occupy the same space. The wages of sin is death and thereby a Just and Holy God must requires the payment of life blood for the remission and forgiveness of sin. We all owe this debt to God because of our sins and only the blood of Christ can atone for it and make us once again right with God.

Romans 5:6,8 While we were still helpless [powerless to provide for our salvation], at the right time Christ died [as a substitute] for the ungodly. 

But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. AMP

All have sinned and come short of living rightly before God. Therefore, everyone must pay this debt owed to God for their acts of rebellion and sin.  No person can live a perfect life and they are not able to pay the debt that is owed to God because of their own sins.

But God in His lovingkindness, great compassion and mercy chose to provide forgiveness for all humanity and gave us the only sacrifice that could be made. It was His Son Jesus and through His life lived, His blood shed and the death He took on our behalf that paid our sin debt.

Romans 3:23-25 or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, NKJ

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. NKJ

Sin that resulted in rebellion against God is no light matter. It is not something that God can turn a blind eye to and still be a Holy and Just God. Because of the sins of Adam and Eve an animal died, its blood was shed and clothing was made for them. The blood of animals could only cover their sins for a while but it did not remove them.

God’s grace came at the appointed time through Christ Jesus to pay the total debt of sin by the shedding of His blood, His deathand resurrection. Every sin debt will be paid for, but whose blood and death will stand before a Holy and Just God to make that payment? 

God has provided a payment for all sin debt through faith in Christ. It is every person’s free will to choose whether to have faith in the blood of Christ’s or not, and then they must stand before God for their own sins. 

Hebrews 9:22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.

Everyone will stand before a Holy God for judgement, because we all have sinned; our sinful blood cannot atone for our debt. If we try to stand before God on our own we will be weighed in the balance and will be found lacking in not having lived a perfect life before God in our own strength. 

Daniel 5:27 TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting;   

Romans 2:6-8 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

Even after our fall God was moved by His great love for all mankind and provided another chance of salvation for humanity. God has given us another chance to escape the second death, which is total separation from God Himself. Thischance is done with a simple choice of our will to believe andhave faith in Jesus Christ the Son of God. 

Revelation 20:11-15

Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.  And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. NKJ

Many people are confused because of God’s love and forbearance toward us, thinking God will not judge sin andrequire mankind to pay for their sins eternally. But, a Holy, Just and Righteous God must require payment for sin or He will no longer be true to Himself and no longer be a Holy God. 

In God’s great mercy He provided another way for forgiveness to pay the debt mankind owed. God in His enormous and abundant love for us, He became the ransom and payment through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  

Romans 3:24-26 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

God who is a Just and Righteous God, became the One who judges sin and then He Himself provided the justification forthe sinner, through faith in Jesus.  It is an extreme insult to reject Jesus, it is a great offence and rudeness to a Holy God for mankind to refuse to accept such a great gift. Jesus came to rescue and deliver us that we may escape eternal death. Again, God does not take sin lightly and it was at a tremendous cost to Himself and His Son to make this provision of salvation to all humanity.

2 Corinthians 5:18-18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. NIV

To have this faith in God’s plan and provision of Salvation through Christ is so simple, and yet so profound!

Psalm 85:10 Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed.NKJ

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To Fellowship in the Suffering of Christ

Many may say they want to know Jesus, to walk like Him and be in fellowship with Him, but they have not come to the realization of what that really means, which is a fellowship of His suffering.  As Christ followers we must change the way we evaluate the things that are happening to us and around us. We must change the way we view life and our expectations in life. 

1 Peter 5:10-11 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.  To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. NKJ

1 Peter 4:16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

God’s purpose is for us to reveal His love and His glory in the earth, which we see through the life of Christ. God’s glory and love is revealed in the earth when we are obedient to His word and by obedience our faith is displayed to those who are lostand in darkness so that they too may come to the Light.

All humanity knows how to be mean, prideful, hateful and to want revenge for the evil that is done to us, it is a natural part of fallen mankind. But the love of God is seen when we show, forgiveness, mercy and love to others. 

2 Corinthians 4:6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

God’s goal for our lives is that we walk in love and obedience in hard and difficult times, just as Jesus did. Through this we will reveal God’s love to a lost world and this will show our faith and trust in Him. Through the Holy Spirit we can gothrough hurt, pain, agony and persecution without hurting others in return, and this is God’s purpose for our lives. Some people may call getting to the end of the trial their goal, but forGod it is the going through the trial, with love and mercy, this is His purpose. It is the trying or testing of our faith in Him. 

What some may call the process; God calls the purpose. What some may call the end; God calls a spin-off or the result of the faith that was shown during the time of the testing of our faith

1 Peter 4:12-14 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.  If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.  On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.  NKJ

Many people struggle just to get through their hardships and trials, so they can be blessed and that they may see goodness and rest in the end. But actually, the blessings are byproducts of us accomplishing God’s goal. Which is us being patience and being light in dark places and by showing of His mercy and forgiveness in difficult situations. God’s purpose and plan for our lives is to show His compassion and love in these hard and difficult times. It is in these situations that we demonstrate our faith and the likeness of Christ in the face of adversity. 

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 

2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. NKJ

Though Jesus was the Son of God, He suffered many things at the hands of evil men and because of this sinful world system.  It was through this very process of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection that He obtained salvation for all humanity.

If Jesus’ life is being formed in us then we too will experience challenges of our own, so that we too may have opportunities to forgive the wrong that we have experienced. In this we willreveal, reflect and resemble the likeness of Christ in our homes, families and community. 

Revelation 1:9 I, John, am your brother and your partner in suffering and in God’s Kingdom and in the patient endurance to which Jesus calls us. I was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for my testimony about Jesus. NLT

1 Peter 4:19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

The world will tell us that we should expect to receive only the good from God and should feel deprived or mistreated when we go through challenges and difficulties.   When our faith or sonship as children of God is challenged, by Satan or this world, we are to stand firm in who we are in Christ. 

It is in these challenges of life that stretch us and grow us into the image of Christ. Though we enjoy and rejoice in God’s blessing and favor, we will learn patience and perseverance through the things we suffer and the challenges we experience.  

Paul was ready to put aside his comfort and to be broken bread and poured out wine for those around him that they might see God’s light in him and believe in the risen Christ through his life. 

2 Corinthians 4: 7-10 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.  We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

We are to be reminded of our God given goal, purpose and intent, which is to know who we are in Christ and to display His power, light and love in a dark and hopeless world. 

Self-pity is from the devil and we fall into his trap when we focus on ourselves and become disheartened because of the things we go through. 

We are to be God’s light and share His hope through the power of the Holy Spirit who encourages us and gives us the endurance we need. Then we can have the same attitude and mindset as Christ and we too can say, Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. 

2 Corinthians 4:11-12 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you. NKJ

Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots.

Again, we must change the way we think about the things we go through as an opportunity to show God’s love and the light of His glory in a dark and hopeless world.

Every act of kindness can have at least three touch points, the joy as the one who gives, the thankfulness as the one who receives and the pleasure of one who witnesses the mercy, grace and compassion of God.  When we are generous we show God’s love and others receives His love through our generosity, while others may also witness this love of God.

Romans 15:5-7 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. NKJ

 

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We Learn Obedience and Faith Through the Things We Suffer 

As followers of Christ, we must change the way we view life and how we assess and evaluate the things that we go throughand the things that happens to us and around us. Some people have been taught a belief that followers of Christ should not suffer or experience, hardship, agony or grief. This is so far from the truth, because this fallen world system is filled with challenges, pain and misery.  We all will suffer in this life at some point. It is in the process of going through these hardships that we learn to trust, respect and rely on God’s word, just as Jesus did. 

Hebrews 5:8 Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. NKJ

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” NKJ

God sent His Son to redeem this world and to pay a debt that we could not pay. Through the things He suffered He learned obedience and trust in God. He trusted God in navigating His life in this fallen world system.  We all will encounter tests and trials that will challenge our faith but it is when we choose to put our trust in God our Father and be obedient to His word, even to the point of pain or suffering, that our faith is displayed to this loss world. 

1 Peter4:12-13 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trail which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. NKJ

God required obedience from the first Adam but he rebelled and disobeyed God’s command. Jesus came as the second Adam and even though He was the Son of God, He was obedient even to the death on a cross. Jesus was despised and rejected by men and He endured the shame of dying for our sins.  Jesus said, the servant is not greater than His master and the challenges and rejection He went through we as believers will go through at some point. But it is how we go through or navigate our problems that tries our faith that reveals our loyalties.  

1 Corinthians 15:45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. NKJ     

Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. NKJ

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. NKJ

Christ is our example in that He trusted in every situation that God would judge all things right. That God would orchestrate and guide His life situations in ways that would eventually bring God glory and allow God’s light to shine into dark places.  Some situations may appear as though we are without any hope of being vindicated in this life. Though it may have appeared in the natural that Christ was defeated when He died on the cross, but His death was the very event that brought victory and allowed sinners to be saved by grace.

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. NKJ

We too will experience persecution, rejection and some may experience physical harm or may live as outcasts, or as though dead to family and friends. But it is when we respond to these situations in love, that these crises will demonstrate and display our faith in God love. Our limited minds can only see things in part, but the Almighty God can reach across the lines of life and death, rich and poor, soul and spirit to bring about a triumph that no one could have imagined.  

John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulations; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” NKJ

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” NKJ

The difference between the world’s way and the followers of Christ is how they will respond to persecution. We are to show love in face of oppositions and to be the example of how love while being challenged. So to show others how they are to act during times of hardship or suffering. 

The world will say, you deserve better or you should not have to suffer through these hard times. However, God tells us differently, that we will experience tribulations as Christ followers. Jesus was sent to seek and to save the lost, He came and His life was spent, depleted and used so that we may be redeemed.  Just as Followers of Christ are also being sent and poured out for a lost world. Therefore, we too must die to ourown ambition and lay aside those monetary life accomplishments if need be for the sake of someone’s eternal soul. Followers of Christ in the natural world, are to lay these things aside to do the work of God in the lives of those around us. This is so that others who are lost might be saved, to have eternal life with Christ forever. 

John 20:21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” NKJ

When an olive is crushed or the grape is pressed, the true essence of the inner substance, the oil or juice will flow out. It is when a cup is rattled or shaken that what lies within spills out. The same goes for humanity, as life presses in on us, that which dominates our spirit within will spills out, be it the love of God or hate and fear which is of the enemy. 

When life comes at us hard, when we are totally spent and exhausted, that is when our true expression of faith in God will be seen. It is our true self that is an automatic response in those hard situations and will be shown in that instant. Rather than justifying our actions with the reasons of this world, be it stress, anxiety or anger, we should take note as to what flowed out of our soul and spirit. It is in the recognition and the confession of the problem that we can ask God to create in us a clean heart, right spirit and to let His love flow in and through us. 

2 Timothy 4:5-6 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering and the time of my departure is at hand. NKJ

Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. KJV

Life is about challenges and choices and it is through these challenges that we make know our choices. Followers of Christ must stand firm as Satan constantly comes to try and create doubt and to challenge God’s word. It is how we choose to respond to these problems that will display our faith and beliefs in God to both the natural and spiritual world around us. God is glorified when we obey His word and this reveals our faith and trust in God’s love for us. 

Romans 16:19-20 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. NKJ

 

 

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Faith Is Displayed through Obedience!

God’s goal and purpose for our lives is a life of faith, which is demonstrated through obedience. It is the act of obedience that gives a tangible testimony of our faith in God’s Preeminence and His dominion over all things. 

It is in obedience to God’s word in the face of adversity, danger or misfortune that verifies, confirms and proves that we trust in God’s ability to see us through all situations and circumstances. It is our faith that pleases God and it is through our trust and obedience to Him that our faith is revealed.  

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. NIV

It was in disobedience to God’s purpose for his life that Satan allowed pride to rise in him, birthing sin into existence in heaven. The one command God gave Adam was to obey Him, and to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Satan then led Adam and Eve into the acts of disobedience causing sin to be born into this world and ushering in this fallen world system. They had more faith in the words of Satan, their own desire and pride, desiring to have the same knowledge as God, rather than being obedience to God’s word. 

This is why God says obedience is better than sacrifice. Peoplemay give and sacrifice things that they possess as an expression of their wealth, position or conscience but it is obedience that isa true reflection and evidence of a heart of faith in God.   

1 Samuel 15:22 So Samuel said: “Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. NKJ

The one command God gave Adam is the same one He has given us and that is to obey Him. For obedience is more important to God than any service we can offer. It is in obedience to God’s will for our life that we may suffer hardships and may have to sacrifice those things that areimportant to us, at the cost of friendship, family or life itself. 

It is in the humbleness of mind and self that we are able to give up our things, our rights and our way of living so we can submit to God’s will for our lives. It is when we humble ourselves before God and release the reins of our lives to Him and trustHim, that we able to operate in faith through obedience to God’s will, His word and His way. 

Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. NKJ

Jesus came and showed us how to live a life of obedience to God through humility and humbleness of spirit, He beingwilling to suffer personally for the ultimate will and glory of God. Jesus even though He was The Son of God, He was also the Son of Man and He learned obedience through the things He suffered. 

Hebrews 5:8 Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. NKJ

May we too display our faith in God through obedience, even in our pain, in our suffering and in our loss, so that a dying world may see and know the Hope we have in Christ. 

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Colossians 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 

 

 

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o Lay Down Our Life for The Love of Christ!  

Some may say they love Christ and are willing to die for Him, or to be a martyr for Christ. Others may say they are willing to give of their possessions for Christ, to give to the poor and needy. Some may be willing to live a life of service for Christ on the mission fields, to leave home and family for Christ. But, the one commandment Jesus has given us, is to love one another as He has loved us, by laying down our life for Christ. To lay down our life is to die to selfishness, self-centeredness and pride. 

1 Corinthians 13:3-5 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked,thinks no evil; NKJ

John 15:12-13

This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. NKJ

Pride is the root cause of all sin. It is pride, our feeling of self-importance that makes us put our wants, needs and desires above all else, including God.  It was pride that caused Satan to try and exalt himself above the throne of God. It was pride, the desire to be more, to know more and to be as important as God, that caused Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It is the same today, the desire to put self-first above everything and everyone that causes us to sin. Pride causes us to refuse to lay down our life, wants and desires, and it also causes us to refuse to obey God’s command to loveothers.

John 15:14-15 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.  No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

Jesus has called us friend, and He is asking us to lay down our life for Him, just as He has lay down His life for us. Jesus is that Friend whom we are to lay down our life for. He is the only one that deserves our total commitment. There is no greater love for Christ than for us to consciously, willingly and intentionally decide to put the love for others and put their needs before our own, to lay down our life for Christ, because that is how He has loved us. 

To lay down one’s life is harder than being a martyr, a one-time action, than giving of our wealth out of our surplus, or the sacrificing for service that can be self-serving.  For us to decide to lay down our life is a continuous, ongoing, lifelong process that we must do daily. To daily decide to not be selfish or prideful and to seek the welfare and betterment of others. This is a practiced skill that we must repeat daily in order to get better at it. Like any skill, the more we practice it the better we become at it, and it is usually a challenge at the beginning.

To lay down our life for our Friend, Jesus, is to seek Christ’sinterest in others. It is no longer putting ourselves before others but seeking God’s best for them. Realizing this still may cost us our life, our wealth or our time but the motive is love, that same love our Friend, Jesus Christ, has given us.  When we lay down our life of selfish concerns, then the love Christ has given us now flows from us to others.  

God is not asking us to die for Him, but to live for Him. To live our life in a way that shows love for others and to put them before our own selfish needs. Tree pruning is needed to grow good fruit. Unneeded or excess saplings or sprouts, whichdrains the tree of needed nutrients, are cut away to keep them from hindering the fruit from growing well.   

When the main branches stay attached to the vine it receives its supply and can produce good fruit.  When we remain in relationship, fellowship and communion with God through faith in Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit we can ask the Father whatever we want.  We will receive it, because we ask in Jesus’ name, in Jesus’ character, in Jesus’ love and purpose for us and others.  

John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. NKJ 

John 15:16-17 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another. NKJ

Just as Jesus laid down His life for us, that we may live for Him and with Him, so shall we also do in this life. We are to lay down our self-interest, pride and selfishness so that we may show the love of Christ to those who may be unlovely but not unlovable. Jesus loves the whole world and gave Himself for us.  

1 John 2:2 He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. NLT 

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. NKJ

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Perception VS Perspective   “To Follow Jesus”

Perspective, is the ability (whether natural or acquired) ofseeing all the relevant facts, records and data in a meaningfulway that is, reciprocal, interrelating or corresponding to amutual relationship. Perspective gives meaning to the other person’s view by putting oneself in their position, and it gives one the ability to see past themselves to develop a view that is inclusive and not exclusive. 

There is a general perception that all a person has to do is to say that Jesus is the Son of God and they will go to heaven.  This is the only information they have received and have known; therefore, it is their perception and their reality, but it is totally wrong! It does not line up with His word, Jesus said, if anyone wants to come after Him, let them deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Jesus, this still applies today.  

The true perspective is that Jesus gave of Himself, He died on the cross that we may have a new way of living that operates in God’s kingdom.  Jesus tells us to take up our cross and follow Him.  To “take up” is a continuous act of taking up and not something that is done just one time. Therefore, we are to daily and continuously take our cross and die to self (pride, self-interest), while putting God’s kingdom ways and purpose in the forefront.  

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. NKJ

Many people will say they know Jesus and that they are a Christian, just because they have an intellectual knowledge of Jesus and yet, they do not obey or follow after Jesus. They do not walk or live in His way, which is to deny self-pride and to love others. They do not receive His truth according to the written word of God that Jesus is the only way to the Father. They do not have eternal life with the Father because they have refused the only way, which is the acknowledgement of Jesus as Lord, the One Savior that they must obey and serve.  

John 14:6-7 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. “If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”

Most people think they can keep on living their lives according to this fallen world of sin and still have a safety net of salvation. This is because of their perception is that they can say one thing with their mouth, while refusing to live a life of commitment to Christ’s kingdom way, which is to love others and deny self-pride. The true perspective is what Jesus says, that we are to die to self-interest. Just as a grain of wheat must die and be buried that it may sprout and produce more grain, we also should die to self-pride and produce more fruit in the lives of others. The person who loves their life more than the love of Christ, will eventually lose it. Those who die to pride -self, who choose to serve Jesus and to follow in His footsteps by loving others as He has loved us, God the Father will honor.  

John 12:24-26 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

It is in the challenges of life that we seek God and grow and arebeing fashioned into the image of Christ. It is through the things we suffer that we learn to be obedient to God’s word. 

Hebrew 5: 8-9 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, NKJ

We are not to allow our personal perceptions, concerns, struggles and biases mar or distort our perception of God, so that we are unable to see God’s perspective and His kingdom ways while living here on the earth. We must understand there is sin on the earth and we have an enemy, Satan, who wants to kill, steal and destroy the God-like image we have in and on us. Therefore, life will not be without hurts and pain, but what the enemy meant for evil God will turn those things around to grow us and transform us into the image of Christ. 

Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.   For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. NKJ

Our perceptions may be limited by our own life experiences, which shapes what we think of ourselves and others and what we believe we can or cannot do. Some statements we perceive as fact or real but they are not true. A true perspective as fact is only revealed after the reality of God’s truth is established. 

God’s perspective is Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life.”Not a way or just one of many ways but “The” only way to the Father. God’s truth says we can live this life victoriously, because we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us. 

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

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Fear and Faith Are the Currency by Which We TransactBusiness in the Spiritual Realm

In the natural world there are many types of currencies, dollars, euros, yens, silver, gold and many more in which various countries uses to purchase goods and services. In the spiritual realm there are two types of currencies, fear and faith. When people operate in fear, that currency will be used to attract to them anxiety, apprehension, mistrust or worry. When we operate in the currency of faith we can surround ourselves with things such as peace, love, harmony and good will from the spirit realm into the natural. 

Faith and fear are like powerful magnets that can attract the love and the power of God or fear and the destruction of Satan.  Faith is grounded in the love God has toward us, that helps us accomplish our desires, hopes and His purpose in our lives. Fear is the tool Satan uses to incapacitate us so that he may come to kill, steal and destroy all that God has purposed for us, which is showing the love of God and living in our Divine purpose. 

John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. NKJ

To be afraid or fearful is to be frightened or in dread of some terrible act or thing. It is that negative energy that draws to itself the darkness of this fallen world and is what Satan loves to thrive and feed on. 

The word afraid is first mentioned in Genesis chapter three after Adam had rebelled and disobeyed God he then began to operate in fearfulness. The first thing fear did to Adam was to make him, self-conscious, self-focus and self-centered concerned only about himself to the point that he was blaming his wife. The one he once valued and highly esteemed, she became the culprit who made him eat and sin. 

Genesis 3:9-12 Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”

Faith is a way of thinking, it is a viewpoint which determines our outlook, belief and commitment to the love God has for us. Faith is a stance that is unwavering in belief on the principles, precepts and truth of God’s infallible word and His love. Faith is an attitude with dedication that we are here for God’s glory and purpose. We are to show God’s love to a lost world so those who do not know Him may come to know Him and the power of His love through us. Faith is a perspective, where we look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. It is Christ’s love in us that causes us to see and do things differently. 

Hebrew 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. NKJ

We often hear people speak of negative energy and staying away from negative people while trying to stay positive. This is just the world’s way of saying what is happening in the spirit realm. The world understand negative people and negative energy can cause fear and dread in our lives. While being around people with a positive faith energy and a godly perspective will help build up and encourage us.   

To say we have faith in God and live in fear are two polar opposites. These two things cannot coexist in one place, because light and darkness cannot occupy the same space at the same time. If light is present darkness must flee and when darkness is present it is because there is an absence of light. We are told how to keep the light of God in in our lives, we are to think on the things that are pure, just and of good report and not things that cause confusion, hatred and fear.  Each of us will choose what we allow to stay in our minds and what we fix our mind and thoughts on.  We are told to let the mind of Christ be in us and to let our hope be rooted in the perfect love that God has for us. 

Philippians 2:5-6 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. NKJ

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy- meditate on these things. NKJ

We are constantly transacting business in the spiritual realm whether we are consciously aware or not. We are earthly beings living our natural lives in this earthly setting until our natural lives expire and return to earth. We are also spiritual beings with an eternal soul, which came from God and will also return back to its source, God, where we will be resigned and reconciled for all eternity. 

Genesis 2:7 Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. NIV

Numbers 27:16 “Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, NKJ

Job 34: 14-15 If He should set His heart on it, If He should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath, All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust. NKJ

To be afraid or to be full of fear will paralyze people from moving forward, it is a by-product of the fall of mankind. To fear something is to give it a strong yet undue respect and this high regard and respect should only be given to God. It is our life actions and decisions that will speak to and reflect whether we are living in faith or fear. 

Luke 12:4-5 “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.  But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him! NKJ

When people fear what the world says about them or what the world may do to them, this can be use as an excuse to disobey God. People are allowing the fear and anxiety they have for the world to rise greater than their respect, love and trust in God. When we allow anything to have more reverence than God’s word, this is an insult to God and it is a distrust of His ability to provide and protect us.

Our biggest challenge is not to fight the devil; he is a defeated foe, nor people who are against us. Our biggest challenge is to stay in faith and love and to fight the good fight of faith when life hits us hard. When things do not appear to be fair or just, our position of faith should be that of love. The just shall live by faith. Faith is the truth of who we are now that the Holy Spirit is living inside us and who God has called us to be.

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   Ungodly Fear Feeds on Itself – While Faith Rests in the Assurance of God’s Word 

Fear is like an appetite that will not be satisfied. The more we fear the greater the fear increases and grows. Fear and anxiety are like a force of negative energy that feeds on itself and it constantly breeds more fear. While faith is confidence in the Almighty God and the assurance that He and His word will not fail us regardless of how the circumstances look or appear.   

2 Timothy 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.

Job 3:25 For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, And what I dreaded has happened to me.

What we fear the most tends to be the thing that consumes our thoughts, our soul and our very life energy. Fear can grip a person’s heart so that they will be anxious to the point of being paralyzed and unable to function. Fear is a result of the fall of mankind, it is a corrupt, perverted and the polar opposite of faith. Fear gives great weight and undue respect to the twisted and distorted words of the enemy of God and this fallen world system. But Faith is knowing the true and living God and totally trusting in His word. 

Genesis 3:10 So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

Faith is the full assurance and belief in God’s word, whether we see it manifested or not at the moment. We know God is faithful to His word and in this we have peace, peace of mind and peace of spirit knowing that The Almighty God, Jehovah’s word has spoken on the matter and it will surely come to pass.

Isaiah 59:1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy,
That it cannot hear. NKJ

What is our reaction to problems and how do we respond? Do we shriek and cry in fear of the impending doom or just any unknow? Or do we run to the Rock of our salvation, our Defender and Protector, the Almighty God Jehovah, who is our loving heavenly Father. What we choose to fear or stand in awe of, is what will rule over our lives. Be it the fear of Satan which paralyzes, or to have a reverence and respectful fear and awe of God who strengthens and directs us with His word and His counsel.  

Psalms 56:3-4 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word),
In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?

Many people believe that fear is a justifiable excuse to not move forward in the task we have been assigned and a good reason to not obey God because we are afraid of what might happen. Fear is no excuse; it only reveals where our true trust, and distrust lies.  Fear only says, we do not trust that God is able to deliver, provide or protect us in this matter. Fear believes more in Satan and gives him a greater weight in our lives. Or sometimes our love for self is not willing to suffer and it outweighs our faith in God. 

Proverbs 1:27-33 When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the Lord They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke. Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way, And be filled to the full with their own fancies. For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them; But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil.” NKJ

We have nothing to fear, but fear itself. Jesus conquered all sin, powers and principalities. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. While we were at enmity with God, in rebellion and treason against Him, God sent Jesus to reconcile us back to Himself. No matter the sin, Jesus paid the debt we owed and died the death we deserved, shedding His blood so that we might have a chance to choose life eternal through faith and hope in Christ.  

Isaiah 26:3-4 You will keep him in perfect peace,Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.NKJ

The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and the wickedhave no fear of God.  

Psalms 36:1-3 An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flatters himself in his own eyes, When he finds out his iniquity and when he hates. The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good. NKJ

Psalms 111:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.

Life is about choices and with fear we can choose whom we will fear and what definition we will live by.

Fear of Satan: ​F – Forget  E – Everything   A – And    R – Run

Fear of God: ​F – Face     E – Everything   A – And     R – Rise

Life has always been about choices, from the very beginning Adam chose to disobey God and believed the lie of Satan.  Now Jesus has come again to give us another chance to choose to obey and reverence the awe of God and have faith in Christ. The choice is still ours to make, whether we will live in belief of God’s word, or to live in fear. Fear is the first of the list of the unbelieving and abominable. 

Revelation 21:7-8 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. NKJ

Joshua 24:15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” NKJ

We are to choose this day whom we will serve! As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. 

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To Be a Disciple /Follower of Christ!

A disciple of Christ, has different and specific requirements and conditions, than that of becoming (saved), which is a believer who issaved by grace through faith in Jesus. Salvation is a gift from God, to those who believe in the completed work of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.  The meaning of being a disciple, is to be a pupil, a student, an understudy, a follower of the doctrine of the teacher or that school of thought; or it could also be one of the personal followers of Christ during His earthly life. 

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. NKJ

Jesus gave, what appeared to be some very hard, difficult and demanding requirements for a person to become His disciple. That would be a person whose beliefs, principles and doctrine line up with Jesus’ word and beliefs. Jesus explained, that to be His disciple they will need to hate father, mother, wife, children and even their own life and follow Him or else they cannot be His disciple. 

Luke 14:26-27 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.  And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. NKJ

This may sound like an egotistical, narcissistic and self-absorbed God, but in fact these are loving and kind words coming from an omnipotent (the all-powerful, invincible and unstoppable), God who is also omniscient (the all-seeing, all-wise, all knowing).  God is the source of love and without God we will not know how to love others or ourselves well. 

We see so many broken lives because people were trying to love others out of their own self-centered and selfish concerns and desires. When we come to God, who is our source and allow Him to show us how to show love, in this life we can have peace and joy. It is when we operate under the manufacturer’s instructions, that we are able to get maximum results. We have seen people who try to put together or operate machinery without reading the instruction manual, only to see the product damaged. 

The enemy is still telling the same lie he told in the garden and trying to make people believe that God is holding them back. That God does not want them to have fun or be happy, the devil is a liar and deceiver. It wasGod’s good pleasure to create all that was in the garden and all that is in the earth and all the marvelous things seen in nature for us to enjoy. 

One thing we must understand when reading Jesus’ word is that He was speaking in a middle-eastern language and their words often times have many and various meanings, so everything must be read within the context from which it was written. God gave us the principle of having two or three witnesses to establish a matter. In the same way the Bible confirmsand certifies every principle in two or three scripture text and that is how the word of God verifies and validates itself.

Deuteronomy 19:15 “One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.

Matthew 18:16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ NKJ

The word hate used in this text was miseo, which can mean to detest or to love less. In this context Jesus is telling His disciples that they must love less their father, mother, wife, children and even their own life if they want to become His disciple. Jesus never demands allegiance, commitment or loyalty.  He gives everyone the choice to choose, “if” you come to be my disciple, if your aim, hope or desire is to become My disciple you must choose to love Me more that all of these. Jesus is not telling us to despise our family or ourselves but, as followers of Christ, we are to put Him first. Jesus knew that it is in our best interest and benefit to put Him first, and love Him more because in Him is where all our needs are truly met.

Mark 12:30-31 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.  And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

We are to love God with our total being, our body, soul and spirit. With our body, (our mouth) we confess our belief in Christ, with our soul, (our will, mind, intellect and personality) we believe in our hearts that God by His grace sent Jesus to save us. Then our dead spirit is revived, renewed and restored so that we may be, once again alive in the family of God.  

It is only when we love God more and put Him first that we are able to love others well. It is God who instructs and teaches us how to operate in humility and not pride, how to forgive and not be bitter and to love even when it is unrequited, or we do not receive love in return.  

If we do not love God more than father, mother, wife, children and even our own life, we will operate out of a fallen and depraved mindset which, leads only to destruction of the things that we say we love. To be a disciple of Jesus we are to follow His ways, His teaching and His doctrine. 

John 15:12-13 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  13Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.  14You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 

1 Peter 2:21-23 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 

As followers of Christ, we are instructed to put Jesus first and foremost and to love others less, even ourselves. If we do not put our love for Godfirst, we will not know how to love others appropriately.

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