2 Timothy 1:6-8. (KJV)
"6 Wherefore I put thee in REMEMBRANCE that thou stir up the GIFT of GOD, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
7 For GOD hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of POWER, and of LOVE, and of a SOUND MIND.
8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our LORD, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou (willing) partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of GOD;"
Having been brought into the Light when I was 17 years old, I have had a considerable amount of time to grow spiritually. The regrets of living in a state of "spiritual ignorance" is made more palatable when I consider the maturation process I have gone through, and continue going through. I am sure the children of Israel would have preferred their exile in Egypt to not have taken so long. Nor does the 40 years wandering in the dessert on what could have been a one week journey seem something to be something one would relish?
The Spirit of GOD has been dealing with my heart for quite sometime about overcoming fear. Fear of failure, fear of missing the mark of the high calling, fear of being outside of GOD's will? This morning while still laying in bed, 2 Timothy 1:7 came to my mind. "GOD hath NOT given us the spirit of fear"! Well, if GOD hasn't given it to us, it must have originated from the enemy. Genesis 3:10 lets us know where the spirit of fear originates. Adam, GOD's creation, said to his Creator, "and I was afraid"! Was Adam afraid because of his nakedness (as he claimed)? The more acceptable concept to me is Adam was afraid because he knew he had sinned and his relationship with his Creator had been violated.
The Apostle Paul reminds (therefore the word REMEMBRANCE) Timothy of the gift that GOD provides us. He reminds us that GOD did not give us the spirit of fear. Rather a spirit of "POWER, LOVE, and a SOUND MIND"! The Apostle Paul does not strike me as being one who would go to a City Hall with his tail tucked between his legs! Instead he strikes me as one who would LOVINGLY stand before Caesar and proclaim that JESUS was the CHRIST!
"POWER, LOVE, and a SOUND MIND" were traits Paul said that GOD blesses us with. GOD wants us to be a mirror that HE can be reflected from. If we are always building ourselves up, what are we doing for HIM? In a John 3:30, John the Baptist says "HE must increase, but I must decrease". So if JESUS CHRIST increasingly lives in my body, I should exhibit HIS "POWER, LOVE, and SOUND MIND"! The more HE increases in this body, the less room there will remain for fear! The "POWER, LOVE, and a SOUND MIND" of JESUS CHRIST is what I desire to exemplify if my life!!!
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
"WHO IS LIKE??"
Psalms 113:4-8 (KJV)
"4 The LORD is high above all nations, and HIS glory above the heavens.
5 WHO IS LIKE UNTO THE LORD our GOD, who dwelleth on high,
6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
7 HE raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
8 That HE may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people."
Many know that my grandfather had "a green thumb" when it came to raising a garden. I grew up watching the miracle of burying a seed in the ground only to watch most of them bring forth new life after a period of time. I was so accustomed to seeing the fruits from his garden, I expected everyone to get the same results.
But not everyone has "a green thumb" in a garden. Even though I grew up planting, hoeing, tending, and harvesting the same crops, I never had the interest in expending the efforts to assure a bountiful return. My patience with waiting on the seeds to turn into plants, and then into reward, was never what it needed to be.
"WHO IS LIKE" our GOD? WHO else can determine which seed that is planted can produce an abundant crop, or fail to produce any fruit? One would think after these thousands of years of planting seeds that the ability to determine which seeds would not produce would bear fruit would have become more learned? The seeds that fail to yield a good return have to be taken away (John 15:2).
My grandfather did not plant seeds and go dig them up everyday to check on their progress. He waited on the unknown increase to come from The LORD! "WHO IS LIKE" our LORD that HE can raise the "poor out of the dust" or make a seed yield thousands of seeds? Or "WHO IS LIKE" our Creator and can know the plans HE has for our lives before we were conceived (Jeremiah 1:5)?
The increase of the seeds we plant is not determined by how well we plant, cultivate, or harvest our crops. As long as moisture is provided with the Water of Life (John 4:14) and I keep the weeds out of my life (Matthew 13:7), the harvest will be left up to the ONE "WHO IS LIKE" none other!
"4 The LORD is high above all nations, and HIS glory above the heavens.
5 WHO IS LIKE UNTO THE LORD our GOD, who dwelleth on high,
6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
7 HE raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
8 That HE may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people."
Many know that my grandfather had "a green thumb" when it came to raising a garden. I grew up watching the miracle of burying a seed in the ground only to watch most of them bring forth new life after a period of time. I was so accustomed to seeing the fruits from his garden, I expected everyone to get the same results.
But not everyone has "a green thumb" in a garden. Even though I grew up planting, hoeing, tending, and harvesting the same crops, I never had the interest in expending the efforts to assure a bountiful return. My patience with waiting on the seeds to turn into plants, and then into reward, was never what it needed to be.
"WHO IS LIKE" our GOD? WHO else can determine which seed that is planted can produce an abundant crop, or fail to produce any fruit? One would think after these thousands of years of planting seeds that the ability to determine which seeds would not produce would bear fruit would have become more learned? The seeds that fail to yield a good return have to be taken away (John 15:2).
My grandfather did not plant seeds and go dig them up everyday to check on their progress. He waited on the unknown increase to come from The LORD! "WHO IS LIKE" our LORD that HE can raise the "poor out of the dust" or make a seed yield thousands of seeds? Or "WHO IS LIKE" our Creator and can know the plans HE has for our lives before we were conceived (Jeremiah 1:5)?
The increase of the seeds we plant is not determined by how well we plant, cultivate, or harvest our crops. As long as moisture is provided with the Water of Life (John 4:14) and I keep the weeds out of my life (Matthew 13:7), the harvest will be left up to the ONE "WHO IS LIKE" none other!
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
"GOD IS SPIRIT!"
John 4:21-24 (ESV)
"21 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.
22 YOU WORSHIP WHAT YOU DO NOT KNOW; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the TRUE WORSHIPERS WILL WORSHIP THE FATHER IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
24 "GOD IS SPIRIT", and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
Yesterday the photo below was posted on the internet. I sat gazing at the photo in disbelief. Keeping GOD out of the language and geography classes of the six children that are in the photo is NOT the problem. We must instill a need and dependence upon a power so much bigger than ourselves and realize that "GOD IS SPIRIT"!
JESUS told the woman at the well "You worship what you do not know"! We are creatures of faith. You either BELIEVE GOD exists, or you BELIEVE HE doesn't exist! So JESUS was right on target with HIS statement. If HE does exist, we can't keep HIM out of schools no matter how hard we try. If HE doesn't exist, why do we even try to keep HIM out of our schools, courtrooms, public squares, and so on?
The thing that fails to be addressed is the six children in the photo. We have allowed their need for a personal relationship to be replaced with a corporate need for the right to worship "A" god. JESUS said "GOD IS SPIRIT" in verse twenty-four. Since "GOD IS SPIRIT" there is no way we can eliminate HIM from our classrooms unless HE prohibited from entering our spirits. If we fail to allow HIM into our homes (Bible study, prayer, surrendering to HIS will for our lives), why do we want to fight to allow HIM in our schools?
FATHER IN HEAVEN, I pray that YOUR SPIRIT will have total and complete access to my life in everything I do. Although I fail YOU daily and take control over my life, please cause me to become more and more dependent on YOUR guidance and leadership in my life. I know that "GOD IS SPIRIT", but HE will only go where HE is welcome! Help me to welcome "GOD IS SPIRIT" wherever I go.
"21 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.
22 YOU WORSHIP WHAT YOU DO NOT KNOW; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the TRUE WORSHIPERS WILL WORSHIP THE FATHER IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
24 "GOD IS SPIRIT", and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
Yesterday the photo below was posted on the internet. I sat gazing at the photo in disbelief. Keeping GOD out of the language and geography classes of the six children that are in the photo is NOT the problem. We must instill a need and dependence upon a power so much bigger than ourselves and realize that "GOD IS SPIRIT"!
JESUS told the woman at the well "You worship what you do not know"! We are creatures of faith. You either BELIEVE GOD exists, or you BELIEVE HE doesn't exist! So JESUS was right on target with HIS statement. If HE does exist, we can't keep HIM out of schools no matter how hard we try. If HE doesn't exist, why do we even try to keep HIM out of our schools, courtrooms, public squares, and so on?
The thing that fails to be addressed is the six children in the photo. We have allowed their need for a personal relationship to be replaced with a corporate need for the right to worship "A" god. JESUS said "GOD IS SPIRIT" in verse twenty-four. Since "GOD IS SPIRIT" there is no way we can eliminate HIM from our classrooms unless HE prohibited from entering our spirits. If we fail to allow HIM into our homes (Bible study, prayer, surrendering to HIS will for our lives), why do we want to fight to allow HIM in our schools?
FATHER IN HEAVEN, I pray that YOUR SPIRIT will have total and complete access to my life in everything I do. Although I fail YOU daily and take control over my life, please cause me to become more and more dependent on YOUR guidance and leadership in my life. I know that "GOD IS SPIRIT", but HE will only go where HE is welcome! Help me to welcome "GOD IS SPIRIT" wherever I go.
Monday, August 4, 2014
"GOD SPOKE!"
Hebrews 1:1-4 (ESV)
"1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, "GOD SPOKE" to our fathers by the prophets,
2 but in these last days HE has spoken to us by HIS SON, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also HE created the world.
3 HE is the radiance of the glory of GOD and the exact imprint of HIS nature, and HE upholds the universe by the word of HIS power. After making purification for sins, HE sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
4 having become as much superior to angels as the name HE has inherited is more excellent than theirs."
The reverence for Almighty GOD continues to dwindle in today's society. The apparent lack of respect for the ONE who "spoke" the heavens and the earth into existence grows more evident with every passing day. If we REALLY believed that GOD is WHO HE says HE is and has done the things HE says HE has, there would be FEW empty seats in any church every day!
In Hebrews 1:2 scripture points out "in these last days HE has spoken to us by HIS SON", yet we rarely listen to HIS voice trying to instruct us. In Acts 17:11 "Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with ALL EAGERNESS, EXAMINING the Scriptures DAILY to see if these things were so."
How many times do I sit down with ALL EAGERNESS and EXAMINE scriptures to see what my CREATOR might be saying to me at that moment? Dr. Charles Stanley says "You say you don't have time for that? GOD can lay you flat of your back for a couple of weeks, then we will see if you have time?" It has been said "you MAKE time for what is important to you"! What is important to you today?
GOD desires a relationship with us. HE so desired a relationship HE became flesh to provide a payment for the sins that I was unable to pay. And all HE requires is that I admit that HE is WHO HE says HE is and that I honor HIM with my whole being! My spirit has the privilege of getting to commune with the CREATOR! How special is that?
On September 02, 2000 my family was selected to visit with then Governor of Texas George W. Bush on his campaign airplane. He was campaigning to become the President of the United States. We had our picture with him made on his airplane that day. As most know, he was subsequently elected as President, so that photo became a keepsake. Having that picture made was a great privilege! But I want EVERYONE to know I have a PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with the ONE who "SPOKE" the worlds into existence! Because "GOD SPOKE", the worlds became reality, and because GOD still speaks I have an opportunity to hear HIM today! I need to make a deliberate choice to SLOW DOWN and listen to HIM!
"1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, "GOD SPOKE" to our fathers by the prophets,
2 but in these last days HE has spoken to us by HIS SON, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also HE created the world.
3 HE is the radiance of the glory of GOD and the exact imprint of HIS nature, and HE upholds the universe by the word of HIS power. After making purification for sins, HE sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
4 having become as much superior to angels as the name HE has inherited is more excellent than theirs."
The reverence for Almighty GOD continues to dwindle in today's society. The apparent lack of respect for the ONE who "spoke" the heavens and the earth into existence grows more evident with every passing day. If we REALLY believed that GOD is WHO HE says HE is and has done the things HE says HE has, there would be FEW empty seats in any church every day!
In Hebrews 1:2 scripture points out "in these last days HE has spoken to us by HIS SON", yet we rarely listen to HIS voice trying to instruct us. In Acts 17:11 "Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with ALL EAGERNESS, EXAMINING the Scriptures DAILY to see if these things were so."
How many times do I sit down with ALL EAGERNESS and EXAMINE scriptures to see what my CREATOR might be saying to me at that moment? Dr. Charles Stanley says "You say you don't have time for that? GOD can lay you flat of your back for a couple of weeks, then we will see if you have time?" It has been said "you MAKE time for what is important to you"! What is important to you today?
GOD desires a relationship with us. HE so desired a relationship HE became flesh to provide a payment for the sins that I was unable to pay. And all HE requires is that I admit that HE is WHO HE says HE is and that I honor HIM with my whole being! My spirit has the privilege of getting to commune with the CREATOR! How special is that?
On September 02, 2000 my family was selected to visit with then Governor of Texas George W. Bush on his campaign airplane. He was campaigning to become the President of the United States. We had our picture with him made on his airplane that day. As most know, he was subsequently elected as President, so that photo became a keepsake. Having that picture made was a great privilege! But I want EVERYONE to know I have a PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with the ONE who "SPOKE" the worlds into existence! Because "GOD SPOKE", the worlds became reality, and because GOD still speaks I have an opportunity to hear HIM today! I need to make a deliberate choice to SLOW DOWN and listen to HIM!
Sunday, August 3, 2014
"ULTIMATE GIFT!"
Numbers 34:20-23 (GNV)
"20 And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, and go armed before the Lord to war:
21 And will go every one of you in harness over Jordan before the Lord, until he have cast out his enemies from his sight:
22 And until the land be subdued before the Lord, then ye shall return and be innocent toward the Lord, and toward Israel: and this land shall be your possession before the Lord.
23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord, and be sure, that YOUR SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT."
Have you ever used a new vacuum cleaner on an older piece of carpet? The new vacuum can pick up dirt that has been left behind for years. Even though the older carpet has been vacuumed many times in the past, the dirt was still there causing problems.
Moses was attempting to tell the Hebrew children that in order for them to be successful going into the Promised Land they had to examine theirselves and make sure they were blameless before a Holy GOD. Moses even went as far as instructing the nation to go into battle in the right spirit, letting "The LORD cast out HIS enemies from HIS sight"!
The instructions of Moses were not the result of a heavy-handed, mean-spirited GOD who wanted everything HIS way. GOD is a Holy GOD and if HE is to defend us and our actions, our actions must be defensible! GOD wants to gain glory by defeating the enemies of HIS WORD, but HIS WORD cannot change to meet our desires! Our desires have to follow HIS WORD!
Recently there was a movie on television about a twenty-something year old grandson whose billionaire grandfather passed away. In his will, the grandfather left several instructions for his grandson to follow. To acquire the "ULTIMATE GIFT" from his grandfather, the grandson ultimately had to prove his life had been changed. Of course, in typical Hollywood form, the grandson eventually was changed and he received the "ULTIMATE GIFT", the entire estate worth nearly $2 billion dollars!
The "ULTIMATE GIFT" that awaits me cannot be measured with a dollar sign. But the same edicts that were pronounced upon the Hebrew Nation years ago still exists today. A HOLY GOD "still" cannot tolerate a sinful lifestyle. HE provided redemption for my sin through JESUS CHRIST on Calvary's tree. My sin will STILL find me out! I must constantly examine my life making sure that my "ULTIMATE GIFT" in JESUS CHRIST is not being taken lightly!
"20 And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, and go armed before the Lord to war:
21 And will go every one of you in harness over Jordan before the Lord, until he have cast out his enemies from his sight:
22 And until the land be subdued before the Lord, then ye shall return and be innocent toward the Lord, and toward Israel: and this land shall be your possession before the Lord.
23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord, and be sure, that YOUR SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT."
Have you ever used a new vacuum cleaner on an older piece of carpet? The new vacuum can pick up dirt that has been left behind for years. Even though the older carpet has been vacuumed many times in the past, the dirt was still there causing problems.
Moses was attempting to tell the Hebrew children that in order for them to be successful going into the Promised Land they had to examine theirselves and make sure they were blameless before a Holy GOD. Moses even went as far as instructing the nation to go into battle in the right spirit, letting "The LORD cast out HIS enemies from HIS sight"!
The instructions of Moses were not the result of a heavy-handed, mean-spirited GOD who wanted everything HIS way. GOD is a Holy GOD and if HE is to defend us and our actions, our actions must be defensible! GOD wants to gain glory by defeating the enemies of HIS WORD, but HIS WORD cannot change to meet our desires! Our desires have to follow HIS WORD!
Recently there was a movie on television about a twenty-something year old grandson whose billionaire grandfather passed away. In his will, the grandfather left several instructions for his grandson to follow. To acquire the "ULTIMATE GIFT" from his grandfather, the grandson ultimately had to prove his life had been changed. Of course, in typical Hollywood form, the grandson eventually was changed and he received the "ULTIMATE GIFT", the entire estate worth nearly $2 billion dollars!
The "ULTIMATE GIFT" that awaits me cannot be measured with a dollar sign. But the same edicts that were pronounced upon the Hebrew Nation years ago still exists today. A HOLY GOD "still" cannot tolerate a sinful lifestyle. HE provided redemption for my sin through JESUS CHRIST on Calvary's tree. My sin will STILL find me out! I must constantly examine my life making sure that my "ULTIMATE GIFT" in JESUS CHRIST is not being taken lightly!
Saturday, August 2, 2014
"a TENTMAKER??"
Acts 18:1-4 (ESV)
"1 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them,
3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks."
The Apostle Paul was a witness of the Lord JESUS CHRIST and HIS resurrection unlike many others that have ever lived. He was always willing to speak and expound on how the LORD JESUS CHRIST had lived, was crucified, and was resurrected, for the sins of mankind. He wanted to let everyone know of the redemption afforded by believing that JESUS was the CHRIST, the Son of the Living GOD!
Paul was blessed with monetary gifts and offerings from many, as exhibited in Philippians 4:14-20. That is while he wasn't in prison for preaching about JESUS! But like most of us, Paul had a "trade", a skill he was blessed with, to earn enough money to sustain himself. Acts 18:3 informs us that trade was being a "TENTMAKER".
When a modern day Christian is asked what the Apostle Paul is known for, very few would say for his "TENTMAKER" abilities? Being a "TENTMAKER" was never something he wanted to make known. The Apostle Paul was known for (when he was named Saul) persecuting Christians. But after his salvation, Paul was known for the zeal and fervor in which he espoused to anyone who would listen that JESUS was the CHRIST, the SON of the living GOD! Being a "TENTMAKER" did not define Paul, rather it only sustained him enabling him to spread the Good News to as many as he could.
I am no "TENTMAKER"! My trade is, and has been since 1992, selling insurance. My prayer is that my legacy will be, if JESUS tarries HIS return to earth, a lot like the Apostle Paul. My prayer is to be known as a believer and follower of JESUS CHRIST and HIS principles. My legacy will probably never match the one left by the Apostle Paul, and my abilities my never include being a "TENTMAKER"! But I pray that people will know me for serving the same JESUS that the Apostle Paul served! And my trade will be as unknown as his!
Friday, August 1, 2014
"HEARETH NOT US!"
1 John 4:1-6 (KJV)
"1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error."
Their have been many people who have been heard saying "GOD never speaks to me". It can be baffling that they can not hear GOD guiding and directing their lives. Have they gone deaf to a Holy GOD or did they just not care to listen to HIM? Maybe they are just so busy thinking they have to make a living, or taking care of children, or playing the game of life that they don't have time for GOD or HIS principles.
1 John 4:6 says "We (believers) are of GOD: he that knoweth GOD heareth us; he that is not of GOD "HEARETH NOT US". Hereby know we the "spirit of truth", and the "spirit of error". Don't you feel a bit uncomfortable when there is a conversation between others who speak a different language than you? They can carry on for minutes and you have no idea what they are saying to each other. You are totally out of the loop as far as their conversation. Frustration can build up rather quickly.
That is what unbelievers feel like when they hear believers talking. They have no idea what we are speaking of. It is as if we know a language that they have never heard. We can be ridiculed and mocked because others cannot understand what is being said, even though they can hear the conversation. They "HEARETH NOT US" because they are controlled by the 'spirit of error'. Believers are submissive to the 'spirit of truth' and are controlled by HIM.
The failure of the unbelievers to understand things of the spirit can be frustrating, I'm sure. But we don't need to concede the freedom we have in CHRIST to them. They are living in captivity and can have their guards up against us because they see us living in FREEDOM. They might try to reason with us, but they "HEARETH NOT US" because they know not GOD! When one understands why the unbelievers "HEARETH NOT US", it is easier to love them more because you now understand they cannot hear what is being said to them.
"1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error."
Their have been many people who have been heard saying "GOD never speaks to me". It can be baffling that they can not hear GOD guiding and directing their lives. Have they gone deaf to a Holy GOD or did they just not care to listen to HIM? Maybe they are just so busy thinking they have to make a living, or taking care of children, or playing the game of life that they don't have time for GOD or HIS principles.
1 John 4:6 says "We (believers) are of GOD: he that knoweth GOD heareth us; he that is not of GOD "HEARETH NOT US". Hereby know we the "spirit of truth", and the "spirit of error". Don't you feel a bit uncomfortable when there is a conversation between others who speak a different language than you? They can carry on for minutes and you have no idea what they are saying to each other. You are totally out of the loop as far as their conversation. Frustration can build up rather quickly.
That is what unbelievers feel like when they hear believers talking. They have no idea what we are speaking of. It is as if we know a language that they have never heard. We can be ridiculed and mocked because others cannot understand what is being said, even though they can hear the conversation. They "HEARETH NOT US" because they are controlled by the 'spirit of error'. Believers are submissive to the 'spirit of truth' and are controlled by HIM.
The failure of the unbelievers to understand things of the spirit can be frustrating, I'm sure. But we don't need to concede the freedom we have in CHRIST to them. They are living in captivity and can have their guards up against us because they see us living in FREEDOM. They might try to reason with us, but they "HEARETH NOT US" because they know not GOD! When one understands why the unbelievers "HEARETH NOT US", it is easier to love them more because you now understand they cannot hear what is being said to them.
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