It is written by THE SPIRIT in Ecclesiastes chapter 12:
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.
14 For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.
Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Romans chapter 8:
2 For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has set you free from the law of sin and of death. AMPL
As we submit to the SPIRIT of life, we detach ourselves from the law of sin and death. However, we have a choice to which path we pursue and FATHER will not force us to listen to HIS SPIRIT. The world is constantly enticing men and women to succumb to fleshly desires by making promises that simply cannot and will not come to pass. The world appeals to man’s reasoning and logic in order to derail those who want to be led by THE SPIRIT.
5 For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose].
6 Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever];
7 the mind of the flesh [with its sinful pursuits] is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot,
8 and those who are in the flesh [living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses] cannot please God.
FATHER has sent forth HIS Word and confirmed It innumerable times for us to not only acknowledge but embrace HIS directives. HE has provided us with the Truth and the facts as well as the ramifications of ignoring them. You only have to look at history to see those ramifications. Man has attempted to sanitize and rewrite history to serve his own purposes of self interest. Those who walk in blindness readily accept the changes for they have ignored the obvious Truth set before them. I am constantly amazed at the blindness… however, I shouldn’t be surprised since Jesus warned us of such blindness to come.
12 So then, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, but not to our flesh [our human nature, our worldliness, our sinful capacity], to live according to the impulses of the flesh [our nature without the Holy Spirit]—
13 for if you are living according to the [impulses of the] flesh, you are going to die. But if [you are living] by the [power of the Holy] Spirit you are habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body, you will [really] live forever.
14 For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
Being led by THE SPIRIT is a daily commitment that should never be taken lightly. We are exposed to the world’s ways on a daily basis and the world is antagonistic toward The Word and those who walk according to The Word. Jesus spent time in communion with FATHER on a daily basis, we should too.
There are those with whom we come in contact who will attempt to sow discord and steal our peace. They want to debate any topic we are willing to address. We must not allow them to draw us into their worldly thinking as though we must prove them wrong. Light has no common ground with darkness else Jesus would not have been crucified by His own countrymen.
Being led by THE SPIRIT requires us to truly die to the flesh and its desires, especially to prove one’s self right. The ego always sees itself as being right whereas aspiring overcomers know they are in need of change thus they submit to The Holy Spirit as the cleansing continues. Paul stated by THE SPIRIT in 1 Corinthians chapter 2:
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,
8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Sometimes, silence is golden when being exposed to the world’s issues and rhetoric. FATHER will expose the Truth for all to see in HIS own timing.
Abaco is the Italian form of the Biblical name “Habakkuk”.
Given that Abaco Island has suffered extreme devastation by Hurricane Dorian, I suggest you read the Book of Habakkuk. Afterward, you might read:
The extremes are occurring in the physical realm. Is it strange or is it judgment?
Jesus spoke in John chapter 5:
41 “I do not receive honor from men.
42 But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you.
43 I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.
44 How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?”
We are not to be “man pleasers” but rather we are to focus our lives on pleasing Our Heavenly Father. Throughout my business career, I have observed many men and women who sought favor among the rich and famous. They would attempt to stroke the egos of the rich as though the rich would somehow give them a portion of their wealth. Of course, it did not happen.
The rich would often indulge the “man pleasers” because their own egos were temporarily satisfied by the attention. People don’t realize that fame and fortune has wings and will depart from those who try to maintain their status. Wisdom speaks in Proverbs chapter 23:
4 Do not overwork to be rich;
Because of your own understanding, cease!
5 Will you set your eyes on that which is not?
For riches certainly make themselves wings;
They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.
I have also seen men with extreme wealth lose it in a short period of time. I have witnessed others who were wealthy who lost their health. What good is your wealth if you are unable to enjoy it? How many would give up their wealth to be restored to full health?
When we focus on the power of men, we become ensnared by them. The rich and powerful will manipulate you to do their bidding. They believe themselves to be “special” because of their fame and/or fortune, thus they consider themselves superior to the rest of us. Wisdom warns us in Proverbs chapter 29:
25 The fear of man brings a snare,
But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.
A man’s life can be removed in an instant as judgment comes upon him. Why should we focus on the temporary and be ensnared by it? Let us place our complete trust in Our Heavenly Father who looks out for us with lovingkindness.
In Deuteronomy chapter 30, it is written by THE SPIRIT:
15 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil,
16 in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess.”
As we Love Our Heavenly Father and walk according to HIS Divine Intent, we will possess our inheritance set aside for each of us. This inheritance is enduring and permanent by nature. We will no longer have an interest in pursuing the world’s idea of wealth for we know that FATHER is our provision and will provide the necessary resources to enable us to complete our individual callings. We will walk in complete peace as we stay in the center of HIS Intent and we will have no interest in the world’s idea of wealth or power.
FATHER will exalt us in the appropriate manner thus we do not need to seek honor from men. Let us owe no man anything but Love.
The word diligent means: to keep, guard, observe, give heed, have charge of, keep watch, protect, save life, wait for, retain, treasure up (in memory), preserve. This word denotes an action on our part and there is no passivity to be found in a diligent person. Neither is there no indication of occasional action but this word denotes persistence and commitment to act.
In Deuteronomy chapter 6, it is written by THE SPIRIT:
17 You shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, His testimonies, and His statutes which He has commanded you.
And in Proverbs chapter 8, Wisdom wrote:
17 I love those who love me,
And those who seek me diligently will find me.
18 Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring riches and righteousness.
19 My fruit is better than gold, yes, than fine gold,
And my revenue than choice silver.
20 I traverse the way of righteousness,
In the midst of the paths of justice,
21 That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth,
That I may fill their treasuries.
As we seek FATHER’S direction each day, HE sees our Love by our diligence and responses to HIS directives. We are moved by HIS SPIRIT and purpose to be led by HIS Holy Spirit in each Word we speak and every step we take.
When we walk according to HIS directives, we are able to walk in such peace that it defies human understanding. This peace comes from Above and is not subject to the chaos brought on by the world. We are not moved by evil reports designed to steal our peace for we walk according to FATHER’S Word.
As we walk in greater peace, that peace will permeate those in our presence and it will become apparent to those around us that there is a noticeable change when we arrive. An excellent example of this peace is found in Mark chapter 4:
35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”
36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.
37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.
38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
Jesus was in total peace as He slept through the windstorm in the boat with waves beating against it. He was not moved by the storm and responded by commanding peace to go forth. The disciples were in great fear rather than walking in great faith. They had little or no faith to deal with the situation even though they had seen great faith in operation.
It is written by THE SPIRIT in Hebrews chapter 11:
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Diligence and faith go hand in hand. We are to treasure the time we seek HIM and not allow ourselves to become slack in our pursuit of becoming mature Sons and Daughters. The world expects instant gratification in anything they pursue. On the other hand, FATHER expects diligence and commitment to fulfilling our calling. We must be patient in our expectation of the reward HE has set aside for those who diligently seek HIM. Let it be a “way of life” for you as it is for me!
FATHER spoke in Jeremiah chapter 1:
12 Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am [actively] watching over My word to fulfill it.”
My beloved friend Steve Staggs wrote:
There’s no greater force in all of existence than the Voice of God.
Through His Voice He formulated His Plan, built His devices and articulated His Vision. Through His Voice He creates, rules, judges, empowers, raises up armies, vanquishes foes, appoints kings, destroys kings, separated the waters of the sea and river, sent manna and quail for food, provided water out of a rock, cared for the
widow, delivers the helpless, announced the Favorable Year of the Lord, healed the sick, raised the dead, calmed the storms, cared for the children, multiplied the fish and loaves, called for the fish to collect the coin to pay the tax He didn’t owe, and to the more than 300 who came with knives and clubs to take Him away, He knocked them on their keisters with two little words, “I am.”
Through His Voice man lives every moment of every day, and through His Voice He prays, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” So, the way we “overcome immediate resistance with force” is by listening to and then becoming WITH Him His Voice.
What Jesus speaks, we speak; what Jesus commands, we command; what Jesus sees, we see; and what Jesus does, we do. No more, no less.
God’s Vision is that His Man would rule His Creation WITH Him in the fullness of His Nature and Character. God’s Plan is therefore designed to achieve His Vision. Everything in the Kingdom of God revolves around the idea of partnership, the fullness of which is captured by the single word WITH. In its simplest form, this is a manner of living that begins and ends with God speaking, His Man listening and then doing WITH Him what He has spoken.
This is what Jesus modeled while on the earth and this is how He executes His role now as the One to whom the Father has given all authority to execute His Plan and to accomplish His Vision. Although we have full access to our Father as Sons, Jesus is the One through whom the Father now speaks regarding the rule, administration, work and mission of His Kingdom. (Matthew 17; Hebrews 1)
As we listen to and work WITH Jesus, His Nature and Character (Truth) is formed in us, which is then transferred to everything we do WITH Him. The result: Our Father’s Vision is accomplished. Truth is embedded in every transaction, and therefore in everything, whether in ruling or in reigning WITH Him.
“ ‘Not by the force or resources of strength, efficiency, wealth and armies; and not when the vigor of ability is firm. Lo! Behold, it is by My Breath, Wind and Spirit,’ says YHVH of the armies organized for war and warfare.” (Zechariah 4:6)
Jesus spoke in Matthew chapter 11:
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth [I openly and joyfully acknowledge Your great wisdom], that You have hidden these things [these spiritual truths] from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to infants [to new believers, to those seeking God’s will and purpose].
26 Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight.
27 All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one fully knows and accurately understands the Son except the Father; and no one fully knows and accurately understands the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son (deliberately) wills to reveal Him.
28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.” AMPL
Each of us has 24 hours in a day thus what we do with that time will determine our path into the future. What we ponder and dwell on in our minds will mold our outlook over the next days, weeks, months, and years.
Some people live in perpetual fear because their focus and priorities encourage fear thus they have no peace. They develop idols in their heart and as a result, they become enslaved to those idols. When taken to the extreme, the world classifies them as obsessive/compulsive.
Jesus emphatically states “learn from Me” in the above passage if you want to know FATHER. This is why I constantly emphasize the Words of Jesus as being critical to our maturing process. Jesus is The Word made flesh and within The Word is power and authority given to those who walk according to The Word.
If I spend very little time focused on The Word then what outcome will I expect and experience? If I focus solely on the multitude of prophetic words at a macro level, how will that time spent change me? Many spend time acquiring information but few spend time focused on personal change. Frankly, a lot of people think that everyone else needs to change and they themselves are fine right where they are in life. Regrettably, they can’t seem to find a mirror.
Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 Corinthians chapter 13:
12 For now [in this time of imperfection] we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma], but then [when the time of perfection comes we will see reality] face to face. Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known [by God].
An enigma is a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand. FATHER formed each of us in the womb with a specific purpose in mind. The purpose was and is motivated by HIS Agape Love. If we never look into the mirror, we limit our willingness to change and our life continues to walk in the mystery surrounding our calling. True peace is beyond our grasp.
If our focus and time are always dedicated to the “external”, the mystery contained in the blurred reflection will never achieve clarity. Only after we commit ourselves to focus on the “internal” will the clarity come forth in our lives. The blurriness is removed as we are sifted by The Word.
What happens when this reflection becomes clear? My past sins and lawlessness come flooding into my consciousness along with all of the soulish justifications and rationalizations for those past acts. When this clarity occurs, it causes me to totally appreciate Jesus’ work on the cross for me. The adversary will attempt to keep me in the past and try to convince me of my unworthiness to walk as a righteous son. Thankfully, Jesus died on the cross for ALL my sins, not just some.
Another area where the adversary would like to keep us in bondage is that of “generational” curses. Yes, our parents had a major impact on our development especially in the first seven years of our childhood but we are not bound to their blindness. FATHER spoke in Ezekiel chapter 18:
19 “Yet you say, ‘Why should the son not bear the guilt of the father?’ Because the son has done what is lawful and right, and has kept all My statutes and observed them, he shall surely live.
20 The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.
21 “But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. 22 None of the transgressions which he has committed shall be remembered against him; because of the righteousness which he has done, he shall live.”
We must not allow the past to hinder our development into mature Sons and Daughters. The Blood of Jesus was and is sufficient to wipe away all transgressions. Let us establish our daily priorities and learn from Jesus, Our Elder Brother and Perfect Example.
Our beloved brother Eby wrote:
To every member of God’s elect there must come a time when the truth of the power resident within the word of God to us dawns as the morning on the meadows of our consciousness. With all confidence I tell every person who reads these lines that prophecy (prophetic utterance) is not fulfilled simply because God foreknows what is to happen. God does indeed know all things, for “known unto God are all His works from the foundation of the world.” Truly He knows the end from the beginning and nothing is hidden from Him! The grossest darkness is bright as the noonday sun to the all-seeing eye of the Lord our God. We could say that because God knows what will happen He is able to speak beforehand precisely what will come to pass and therefore that is prophecy. That seems altogether logical to the natural mind. But I do not hesitate to tell you that that is not the reason prophecy comes to pass! Prophecy is not fulfilled on the basis of God’s foreknowledge. Prophecy comes to pass because the life of God, the ability of God, and the power of God are in that word to perform all that it speaks. Again I say that the word of God is not just a spoken foreknowledge, for the word of God is itself CREATIVE ENERGY!
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. ALL THINGS WERE MADE BY HIM, AND WITHOUT HIM WAS NOT ANYTHING MADE THAT WAS MADE. IN HIM WAS LIFE; AND THE LIFE WAS THE LIGHT OF MEN” (Jn. 1:1-4). God did not say, “Let there be light,” because He knew there would be light; rather, He said, “Let there be light,” so there would be light!” And the power that created the light was The Word. That is the difference. We stated above that there must come a time when every one of God’s called and chosen elect is thoroughly possessed of the understanding of this great and eternal truth concerning the power resident in the living word of God. This is unerringly true because we are called to be the proclaimers of His Word. As the sons of God go forth into spiritual warfare to smite the nations, the Living Word of God is our sword! –End Quote—
As we are led by THE SPIRIT and FATHER instructs us to speak according to HIS Will, whether by prophecy or to deal with a current situation, those Words contain HIS creative power to bring them to pass.
Jesus spoke in Luke chapter 13:
10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.
11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up.
12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.”
13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
In Matthew chapter 9, Jesus spoke:
2 Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”
3 And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!”
4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?
5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’?
6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”
7And he arose and departed to his house.
8 Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.
And in John chapter 5:
5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years.
6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”
7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”
8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.”
9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.
The Word of GOD is not just a spoken foreknowledge, for the Word of GOD is itself CREATIVE ENERGY. Jesus specifically operated in this creative power and energized each of the three people in the above passages. It mattered not that they had been in their condition for eighteen or thirty-eight years, The power in His Words exercised the appropriate energy and power to correct their conditions. Without His Words of power, they would have continued in their current state.
In Hebrews chapter 4, it is written by THE SPIRIT:
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
As the Sons and Daughters fully grasp and embrace this reality, we will not only tap into this power but will walk in It without restriction.
The Love of the Truth and the “fear of GOD” are closely associated. It is written by Wisdom in Proverbs chapter 28:
4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
But such as keep the law contend with them.
5 Evil men do not understand justice,
But those who seek the LORD understand all.
6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
And in Proverbs chapter 8:
12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
And find out knowledge and discretion.
13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverse mouth I hate.
All Truth comes from Above and as we seek to hear FATHER in all areas of our life, we will know the Truth, setting us free from the law of sin and death. You would think mankind would totally embrace this reality but they are blinded because of their unrighteousness. Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2:
11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,
12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Man’s carnal pleasures keep him from seeing the Truth and the world wants to keep all men in that state of being by feeding their eyes and ears with external media that tweak the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and pride of life. You can simply turn on the television, radio, or access the Internet and you will be able to categorize much of the content into those three areas. In response, those who focus and emphasize the various forms of the world’s entertainment will walk in strong delusion.
Paul further wrote in Romans chapter 1:
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools
FATHER has revealed HIMSELF to all of mankind and you only have to look up to the heavens at night to view the vastness of HIS creation. Only fools try to rationalize away the Truth and the facts of creation. Many of their explanations are just outright ridiculous! When you are able to see and appreciate the Truth and the facts, man’s foolish is so apparent. Jesus spoke of this condition in Mark chapter 8:
17 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened?
18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?
Jesus had just fed the four thousand and the disciples had only one loaf of bread thinking there was not enough for their own group to eat. Their fear of scarcity was greater than their belief that the bread could be multiplied again.
Fear will release the negative power of scarcity whereas faith will release the positive things that FATHER has done and will do again for us. As you and I focus on FATHER’S Word daily, we will Love the Truth and hate evil, a primary characteristic of “the fear of THE LORD”.
It is written by THE WISDOM in Proverbs 25:
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 For so you will heap coals of fire on his head,
And the LORD will reward you.
FATHER rewards us when we walk in Agape Love. Our enemy today will become our brother tomorrow so let us not seek revenge or recompense when we are victimized by our enemy. FATHER succinctly states in Deuteronomy chapter 32:
35 Vengeance is Mine, and recompense;
Their foot shall slip in due time;
For the day of their calamity is at hand,
And the things to come hasten upon them.
An enemy is one who hates you and what you stand for. Saul was an enemy of believers but was converted to a brother in Christ so he knew firsthand the results of Agape Love. He then wrote by THE SPIRIT in Romans chapter 12 where he referenced the above passage in Proverbs:
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.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
20 Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Let us walk in Agape Love which is sincere and active, without guile or hypocrisy. Let us hate what is evil, detesting all ungodliness, and not tolerating wickedness in our walk. We must not condone ungodliness by having close fellowship with those who persist in their wickedness. However, we must not repay evil with evil as Paul states above.
I have been wronged in the past by certain individuals who meant harm as they acted in their own self interests. They exalted their own interests by attacking me and did this at the expense of the companies where they were employed. Instead of actively responding to their words and actions, I opted to move on and submitted to FATHER’S repayment plan. They received the appropriate judgment for their actions without me intervening in any manner.
In the above passage, Paul provides us a list of how Agape Love acts in various situations. He describes those who truly walk in Agape Love toward others. You and I should review this list to see how we measure up and where we are lacking in our walk. This exercise provides us a picture of our progress in sifting out all the impurities remaining in our hearts.
Our enemies are temporary in nature as we walk in Agape Love. When we walk in peace and Agape Love, we walk in full assurance of our future as Sons and Daughters thus we are not moved by those who intend to do us harm. We overcome this evil with good!
As we walk in pure Agape Love, Isaiah 58 applies to us and FATHER becomes our “rear guard”:
7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
And that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;
When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not hide yourself from your own flesh?
8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning,
Your healing shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.