Devotion, Not Persecution... Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. - Rom 12:10 While we focus on the outside persecution, theres an inner persecution among believers. The true believers are persecuted by the false brethren that upholds the works of the law; Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free. (Galatians 4:28-31 NKJV) • As Paul said, Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man—for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. (Galatians 2:3-6 NKJV) > In the gospel of Christ we are called be be devoted to one another in love, not differentiating in position, rank and titles as it rampant today in churches. With love of Christ we wont put ourselves over one another; And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves. (Luke 22:25-27 NKJV) • Devotion one to another in love is the hallmark of the true body of Christ. In our gathering, its devotion that edifies us; How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. (I Corinthians 14:26 NKJV) > In all His gathering with His disciples, Jesus showed us the example of devoting to one another; Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end...Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. (John 13:1, 3-5 NKJV) • Jesus never said we should not or cannot do what He did; So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. (John 13:12-17 NKJV) > He made it concrete to His disciples saying, Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me...Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. (John 14:1, 12 NKJV) • Where theres no devotion of the brethren as Jesus taught, theres persecution of the true brethren by the false brethren; And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. (Matthew 24:10-13 NKJV) > As Paul also said, For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. (Acts 20:29-30 NKJV) • Those ministers/brethren who insist we must live according to the law of Moses to be or remain saved are the wolves in sheep clothing in churches; they says to Jesus, ‘Lord, Lord’ but does not obey the will of His Father in heaven which is that we should listen to Jesus Who brought grace and truth to us [Matt 17:5. Jn 1:17]; these false ministers/brethren do prophesy, cast out demons and do many wonders in Jesus name. But they wont enter the kingdom of God, for Jesus never knew them; they depart from Him by observing the works of the law [Gal 5:4], their wonderful works is considered a practice of lawlessness/iniquity because they are not done according to the faith but mixing the law and grace, with leads to waste [Lk 5:36-38]. (Matt 7:21-23. Acts 15:1). > We are called to use our gifts to serve one another in love, not to persecute one another; For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them...Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. (Romans 12:3-6, 9-16 NKJV) + Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss...The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen! (2Cor 13:11-12,14) MARANATHA!
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 00:14:34 +0000
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