Servias Ministries Blog

I spent some time yesterday reading the book “Beyond Pentecost” by Clayt Sonmore.  FATHER gave him most of this book in 13 hours while in a hotel room in 1961.  As I read it I was reminded of many blogs written as confirmation to this book.  FATHER was very concise about the same issues HE has been showing me in recent years.  Clayt mentions the “Baptism of Love” as being missing among the brethren.  I too have written similar statements given to me by FATHER.  For those who have been reading the blogs as they come forth by THE SPIRIT, this book will simply confirm what you have read.

You can read this book online at the following link:

http://www.telusplanet.net/public/tsgibson/beyond.pdf

I strongly urge you to make time to read it.  Until yesterday, I had heard of the book but had never read it.  Now is the time!

By THE SPIRIT Matthew wrote in chapter 15:

10 When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand:

11 Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”

12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”

13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.

14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”

15 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.”

The word defile means to make unclean, profane, or pollute.  The Pharisees focused on the outward traditions of men rather than what was coming out of the heart for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.  If you are around a person long enough you will find out what is in their heart, especially when pressure is applied.  The Pharisees were being challenged by the teachings of Jesus and they tried to ensnare Him by applying their traditions.  Generally traditions are connected to past revelations with man’s logic and reasoning applied thus producing a watered down, ineffective tradition.  Traditions blind men from the true, pure Word of FATHER and they convince followers to join them in their blindness.  Jesus described the end result: both will fall into a ditch.  There they will produce no good fruit.

The other statement made by Jesus had to to with a plant FATHER did not originate.  In chapter 13 Jesus explained the parable of the wheat and the tares.  The tares looked like wheat until the time of harvest.  The seeds came from the wicked one and were sown among the wheat.  In the end, the tares were uprooted and burned.  We must beware of the traditions of men and only focus on the pure, undefiled Word.  We must trust The Holy Spirit to minister its applicability to our situation and not simply take someone else’s opinion as “Gospel”.

Peter had to unlearn the traditions of the Pharisees because he did not grasp the parable.  Jesus explained:

16 So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding?

17 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?

18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.

19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”

Each of us must assess our own thoughts and words.  Yes, we can watch over what we speak in order to project righteousness to others.  Some people are excellent at expressing acceptable speech that promotes the perception of spiritual superiority.  Only FATHER knows the thoughts and intents of the heart thus we must be brutally honest about what words want to come out and whether they promote life or death.  I believe this is why we must focus on Love above all so that the good seeds of Love overtake all other seeds planted in the past by the world.  Each of us has the choice of what we pay close attention to on a daily basis.  If one is watching the news cycles over and over, the world is planting seed into the heart.  At some point evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, and/or blasphemies will come forth.  Let not that seed be found among us.  Our words will ultimately testify of what is in our hearts.

By THE SPIRIT the beloved disciple wrote in The Revelation of Jesus Christ chapter 3:

14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,

‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:

15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.

16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—

18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”

Most people want to apply the seven churches to historic periods and other such external congregations and societies which is okay.  We must not attempt to place FATHER in a box for this book is one of symbolism and mysteries rather than simply a historical writing.  This church can and should be applied to us on a personal level where we accept responsibility for our actions or lack thereof.

There are many who would be classified as being “rich” in the western world versus those who live in the poor countries on a few dollars per day.  Jesus described those who are lukewarm as being blinded to their true condition.  If you are miserable then you have no true peace.  If you are blind then you cannot see people through the Love of FATHER.  If you are naked then you are not taking on HIS cloak of righteousness.  If you are poor then you have not taken on the Divine nature to any degree.

The good news is that Jesus did not come to condemn and criticize us but He came to redeem and restore.  As many as He Loves, He rebukes and chastens out of necessity.  We must be diligent, earnest, and zealous to repent.  Are there any of us who do not need to improve in one of the areas Jesus mentioned?  Jesus is willing to “dine” with us and feed on FATHER’S Word with us.  Let each of us accept His invitation.  As we do, Jesus tells us there will be those of us who overcome and He will grant to sit with Him on His throne.

By Him granting permission for us to sit on His throne tells us this privilege is conditional and is reserved for those who overcome their lukewarm state.  Let us each be zealous to seek FATHER everyday, respond to HIS Word, and take action as we are led by THE SPIRIT.  This assures us of overcoming the lukewarm state.

Being lukewarm denotes the lack of commitment to unconditional Love and self-denial.  Lukewarm people are okay with being in this compromised state.  They do enough to project a commitment to Christ but inwardly they are unwilling to give up the “worldliness” within.  We must be willing to deny “self” and place “self” on the altar.  If we do then we become truly zealous for Christ and His message for the world.  Our reluctance to share no longer holds us back.  Our unconditional Love blossoms forth and will draw people to our message of Christ.

Those who are willing to change will go through those seasons of testing, trial, tribulation, stripping,  purging, pruning, and chastening under the hand of FATHER.  If we embrace the time of testing knowing that on the other side we will be equipped then we will most assuredly be removed from the lukewarm category into the overcomer state.  Only each of us individually can make the decision to change.  Don’t let blindness be found among us.  Let the fiery Word do its job.

In Psalm 107 it is written by THE SPIRIT:

19 ​​Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,

​​And He saved them out of their distresses.

20 ​​He sent His Word and healed them,

​​And delivered them from their destructions.

21 ​​Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,

​​And for His wonderful works to the children of men!

22 ​​Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving,

​​And declare His works with rejoicing.

Man needs to be delivered, healed, and restored to FATHER for man is destined to walk with FATHER just as Adam and Eve did.  That may seem like a lofty aspiration but Jesus walks with FATHER and so should we.  Sin, sickness, and disease cannot survive in HIS Presence thus FATHER sent HIS Word to the people for the purpose of restoring them to HIM.  Let us embrace the Wisdom in HIS plan, accept it, and pursue it with all of our being.  If we will accept this to be reality then we can begin to comprehend HIS Divine Intent of Love.

John wrote by THE SPIRIT in chapter 1:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 He was in the beginning with God.

3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Darkness cannot comprehend FATHER’S Divine Intent of Love thus we need to be that light and example to go out into the darkness and overtake it with HIS Love.  As we become more like Jesus our light shines brighter yet as we succumb to the world’s trappings and traditions, our light fades.  Let us repent of those dead works promoted by those who only had worldly wisdom which originated out of their logic and reasoning.  Let us identify and cast out any idols which have come into our surroundings by subtlety and misrepresentation.

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Galatians chapter 6:

6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

I know that in my own life there have been times when it seems that everything I do is an uphill battle.  It would be easy just to give up and let someone else take my place.  This is when we must stop and refresh ourselves IN HIM and let FATHER minister life and restoration in us.  Sometimes doing nothing and “re-create” is necessary in order that our minds can get cleared.  Rest is restorative by nature.

FATHER’S Word is the only sure and everlasting Truth that will survive the changes of societies, governments, and men’s devices.  Let us simply hold on to HIS Word manifested in our elder Brother Jesus Christ and continue being the lights among the darkness.  If our oil gets low, go to FATHER WHO has a never ending supply of HIS Holy Spirit to operate through us.  Let us keep our wicks trimmed and ready at all times.

In Luke chapter 6 Jesus spoke:

37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Over the last 45 years of seeking FATHER I have found that one of the greatest challenges among believers is their willingness to give.  The “love of money” or greed is root of all evil and greed encompasses more than just money but also includes power, stature, possessions, and the desire to be the center of attention.  You can generally classify these people as “takers”, not “givers”.

I have heard so many excuses not to give but I can assure you there is one reason to give… FATHER instructed you to do so even if it seems inconvenient.  As we mature in Christ, “things” become less important and we look back and ask ourselves “Why did I buy that item in the first place?”  How much of what we purchase collects dust after one or two uses?  At the same time The Gospel requires resources and commitment that seem more difficult to obtain.  It is all about priorities.  If we truly press in to hear FATHER we can expect HIM to direct us to give.

Jesus warned us not to judge or condemn others just before He directed us to give.  Why?  Our minds can find more reasons to withhold our giving than one can imagine.  People tend to think everyone else but their family can survive on virtually “zero” when it comes to giving.  They have no idea of the dynamics involved when FATHER is directing a person or ministry to expand their outreach thus requiring additional funds.  Who does FATHER use when that situation arises?  Only willing vessels, even a fish with a coin in its mouth.  FATHER will ultimately get HIS Plan funded with or without us.  Jesus gives us the “law” of giving which is a blessing to those who walk in such a law.

As you give it will be given to you according to the measure you give.  If you are generous then generosity will come you way.  If you give sparingly then you will receive sparingly.

“For FATHER so Loved the world” HE gave HIS Son, the ultimate act of giving.  FATHER abides by HIS own law of giving yet many try to reason away with their logic why they should not give.  Thankfully FATHER did not withhold HIS giving or we would be sentenced to death.

Paul wrote in 1 Timothy chapter 6 by THE SPIRIT:

17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,

19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Do we have the mindset to be continual givers or are we “occasional” (or conditional) givers as the surplus arrives?  In some of the most difficult times I have had, FATHER would direct me to give even though my mind tried to talk me out of it by rationalizing why I was in no position to give.  FATHER requires us to walk in faith when it comes to giving and Jesus gave the law of giving above with the expectation we would operate in faith.  This law is akin to sowing and reaping The Word, it is the same principle.

Giving with the proper intent activates resources to come our way and bless us.  If you simply “give to get” then you are missing the point.  If you give out of Love for the recipient then you have the right heart and open yourself up to FATHER opening the windows of Heaven on your behalf.  FATHER has not changed since the following passage was written in Deuteronomy chapter 28:

1 “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.

2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God:

3 “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country.

4 “Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks.

5 “Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.

6 “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.

7 “The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.”

FATHER’S commandment of Love sums up the entire Law and those of us who embrace Love and giving will be overtaken by HIS blessings!  HIS desires for us exceed our limited expectations.

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Romans chapter 8:

16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope;

21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.

Jesus had to suffer on the cross in order to bring forth eternal life.  We too must suffer as we put to death our flesh thus in some degree we are able to comprehend  His sufferings.  As we persevere and put to death our flesh, there is a price to pay and a challenge to overcome.  No one can do the suffering for us at an individual level for our flesh has unique characteristics which must be dealt with one by one.  Some people are naturally fearful whereas others tend to be prideful.  Many men have a “roving” eye and are seemingly never satisfied because their ego needs constant stroking.  Some women are obsessed with clothes thinking they will permanently hide their perceived flaws.  Yet others deal with lack of self-esteem because their parents failed to assure them of their worth when they were in their formative years.

FATHER Lovingly knew us before HE formed each of us in the womb.  HE equipped us for the life we were to live so let us embrace our life and nail our flesh, cravings, and notions to the cross.  Our spirit man is ever changing thus as we study The Word there will be new facets for us to discover.  You cannot read the Bible and say “one and done”.  Its relevant passages change in their applicability as we mature.  This is why FATHER will have me write on an all too familiar passage depending on what HE wants brought out for that day.  If you skim over the verses because you think you know them then you are doing yourself an injustice.

There will be suffering as we are delivered from the bondage of corruption.  It is difficult for people to let go of the familiar.  We must rely on The Holy Spirit to help us in our weaknesses for when we do not know what we should pray as we ought, the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

The children of Israel provide an example holding on to the bondage of corruption when they were suppose to enter Canaan.  FATHER had delivered them, fed them, sustained them, yet they still did not have the faith to enter in.  In Numbers chapter 14 it is written by THE SPIRIT:

1 So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night.

2 And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness!

3 Why has the LORD brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?”

4 So they said to one another, “Let us select a leader and return to Egypt.”

They were willing to return to Egypt rather than embrace FATHER’S assurance of conquering the Promised Land.  They preferred bondage over victory; they had no faith.  We have Jesus Who paved the way to glorification on our behalf for He is our High Priest and intercessor.  Whatever we are suffering now is not worthy to be compared with the glory being revealed in us.  Let us not hinder His glory coming forth.  Let not the suffering be our focus but look up to our Lord and Savior.  In Him is the solution to all our sufferings.  As we Love even when we don’t feel like it, our sufferings leave our focus and become less relevant to our lives.

FATHER spoke in Matthew chapter 3:

17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Before Jesus had begun His ministry where He would soon preach the Gospel, heal the sick, and set the captives free,  FATHER was already well pleased.  The most obvious reason based on Scripture is that Jesus listened to FATHER and had responded in faith to be baptized by John in the Jordan river.  Jesus submitted to FATHER’S plan, will, and purpose in order to fulfill all righteousness:

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.

14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?”

15 But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.

16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.

In Matthew chapter 12 Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath and caused the Pharisees to plot against him on how they might destroy Him.  Their eyes were so blinded that they were unable to accept a miracle that challenged their traditions.  How many today would respond in the same manner?  If your doctrine which you have held onto for years was challenged, would you be open to change?  Many past revelations have become traditions without realizing the relevance of the revelation has passed because circumstances have changed.  We must be pliable to change according to what FATHER has in store for us.  FATHER is not in to developing habits and traditions.  John felt unworthy to baptize Jesus yet he submitted to the revelation Jesus had been given by FATHER.

In Matthew 12:

14 Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him.

15 But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all.

16 Yet He warned them not to make Him known,

17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

18 ​​“Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen,

​​My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased!

​​I will put My Spirit upon Him,

​​And He will declare justice to the Gentiles.

Once again FATHER was well pleased with Jesus after He healed the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath.  Customs and traditions do not rule us but every Word which proceeds out of FATHER’S mouth.  As we are led by THE SPIRIT we too are well pleasing to FATHER.

On the mount of transfiguration once again FATHER expressed HIS pleasure with Jesus.  In Matthew chapter 17 it is written by THE SPIRIT:

1 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves;

2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.

3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him.

4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”

These three events are easily associated with the three feasts: Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles and we could spend much time analyzing and assimilating the parallels.  However, isn’t it more important to embrace the revelation rather than just the information?  Hearing is the issue rather than only knowing the informational details of the three feasts.  Don’t get me wrong, the feasts are important but not at the expense of being unable to “hear”.

Faith comes by hearing and without faith it is impossible to please FATHER.  When we truly hear and respond to the Words of Jesus, The Holy Spirit, and/or FATHER then we are well pleasing!

Isaiah wrote by THE SPIRIT in chapter 59:

7 ​​Their feet run to evil,

​​And they make haste to shed innocent blood;

​​Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity;

​​Wasting and destruction are in their paths.

8 ​​The way of peace they have not known,

​​And there is no justice in their ways;

​​They have made themselves crooked paths;

​​Whoever takes that way shall not know peace.

The perversion across the land continues and men are redefining good and evil, truth and falsehoods, etc.  They also are continually redefining money in order to mislead the public concerning the state of the economy.  How long can this deception continue?  Is this the year when the truth comes forth and exposes the various schemes of men?  Men have become slaves to the lies being promoted for they must continue to perpetuate the lies until the truth is finally exposed.

Paul provides us the answer to the above issues in Romans chapter 6:

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.

22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

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

There is only one solution to the world’s problems and Jesus Christ is that solution.  There is no peace in the world today because men’s thoughts of iniquity promote injustice across the board.  Their perverseness is constantly increasing and become bolder to the point where they want the population to accept their perverseness by agreement or by law.  They create idols and promote those idols to the young in hope of furthering their wicked agenda.  The fact of the matter is that they simply cause confusion among the young who now challenge their own design by FATHER.

The remnant of Christ will be called upon to minister life and light to this dying world thus we must not grow weary in well doing.  Once the standard of Christ is set before this current landscape, the exposure of corruption will be revealed.  Darkness will no longer be able to hide.

Love is a more powerful force than any devices of man.  In the end Love will prevail so let us proceed on and bring ourselves to full maturity in our relationship with FATHER.  Will there be tests along the way?  Most assuredly.  But we must not let the temporal determine the outcome of our lives.  We must cling to the Promises in The Word that FATHER inspired men to write for our benefit.  What the Word doesn’t reveal, FATHER will as we move to a closer relationship with HIM.  It is not complicated thus we are not required to possess superior mental faculties.  Instead, FATHER want us to be willing vessels of honor for life to flow through for the benefit of mankind.  In Proverbs 15, Wisdom spoke:

​1 A soft answer turns away wrath,

​​But a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 ​​The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,

​​But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

​3 ​​The eyes of the LORD are in every place,

​​Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

​4 ​​A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,

​​But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

​5 ​​A fool despises his father’s instruction,

​​But he who receives correction is prudent.

​6 ​​In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,

​​But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.

​7 ​​The lips of the wise disperse knowledge,

​​But the heart of the fool does not do so.

​8 ​​The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,

​​But the prayer of the upright is His delight.

9 ​​The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,

​​But He loves him who follows righteousness.

Wisdom comes from Above, Love comes from Above, and Jesus Christ came from Above and is now there as our advocate.  He is the only answer to the world’s issues at hand so let us become part of that answer by being fully aligned with Him.

Over the centuries philosophers have been asking that very question and many have developed philosophies centered around their own intellectual opinions.  Philosophy is defined as the love of wisdom in its broadest terms and that should give us a hint to the answer to our question.

The Beloved Disciple John wrote by THE SPIRIT in chapter 18 when Jesus was brought before Pilate:

36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”

37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”

Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.

Truth only originates with FATHER and Jesus bore witness of FATHER thus He bore witness of the Truth.  Those who are followers of Christ and hear His voice are of the Truth. Jesus spoke in chapter 4:

24 “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Again in chapter 8:

31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.

32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Again in chapter 14:

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Philosophers have resisted the obvious.  Truth and wisdom can only be found with The Creator for that is where all reality originates.  There are those who seek Wisdom solely from Scripture and that is not a bad thing.  However Jesus did not have the New Testament to reference but instead He sought and heard FATHER’S Voice in all matters.  If we want to know Truth, we must do the same.

Jesus revealed that after He was to depart, The Holy Spirit would be sent to us and provide us Truth on a day to day basis.  In John 16 Jesus spoke:

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.

13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.

15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.”

As we are be led by THE SPIRIT then we will walk in Truth.  All those books on Philosophy are not needed for we have tapped into the Source of all Truth and Wisdom.  The world’s philosophers’ bodies still reside in their tombs yet the One Who bore witness of The Truth is sitting at the right hand of FATHER.  His tomb is empty!

In 1 John chapter 2, the Beloved Disciple wrote by THE SPIRIT:

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

The pride of life may be the most subtle issue of the three worldly aspects mentioned above.  Pride is defined as haughtiness, arrogance, the character of one who, with a swollen estimate of his own powers or merits, looks down on others and even treats them with insolence and contempt.  It is also defined as one who boasts of personal achievements and possessions; one who trusts in the stability of earthly things.  I suspect many of us have fallen into the trap of bringing attention to ourselves at the expense of others.  I know I have had to repent of past acts and am thankful for FATHER’S grace and mercy toward me.

Pride attempts to exalt oneself relative to others, especially in past accomplishments and/or possessions.  Athletes who excelled in college sports still cling to such accomplishments decades later in order to establish their identity.  Instead, our identity should be with Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior for He assured us of eternal life.  Personal achievements and possessions all pass away and are no longer relevant to our lives.  Old trophies simply gather dust and no one really cares now.  Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Philippians chapter 3 and made this very point:

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.

2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!

3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,

4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:

5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;

6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.

8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith

You don’t have to be highly successful in order to have a pride issue for it is all relative.  Winning an argument may be your source of pride or any other means of exalting yourself among others.  Let us count our past achievements and possessions as “rubbish” relative to the enduring righteousness found in Christ.  Paul urges us in Romans chapter 12:

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;

11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;

13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

16 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.

Let not worldly pride be found among us but allow FATHER’S Love be the means by which we interact with others.  Toss the trophies for the past is the past.  Your or my opinion and $5.00 will buy a latte at Starbucks.