The 5 'F's of FAITH

In my walk with God I have seen a trend or pattern. One must begin the journey of faith, and grow through it to eventually, 'win the race.' It may look different to each Christian but here is one pattern I have observed. 

- A healthy Fear OF God leads to a living Faith IN Him and His Christ who prepares us for a supernatural Fellowship WITH Him (as the Holy Trinity) that we might also be WITH AND IN Him Forever.

Once we acknowledge and revere God, we are then able to trust His character or have FAITH in Him;  Thus beginning to walk with Him... following Him into a deeper and more intimate relationship (or fellowship) that lasts through eternity. -

One may start this journey with 'being aware of God' and even 'acknowledging Him.' For example:

- 1st: Possessing a healthy and holy FEAR of the Lord (or a holy reverence) ... (becoming God-fearing people).

Proverbs 9:10 ; Psalm 111:10a  NIV "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." -

Proverbs 3:5 KJV "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."-


- The 2nd is an actual living FAITH (i.e. - belief or trust) 

Luke 7:50 "Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

 Mark 5:36 NIV "Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe." 

James 2:23 NIV "And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. "

- 3rd: FOLLOW the Master (Come follow me) 

Matt 4:19 NIV "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 

- 4th: experience FELLOWSHIP with Him (Face to face, as a friend) 

Acts 2:42 "And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Philippians 2:1-2  "If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

1 John 1:6-7  "If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

2 Peter 1:4 "Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires."

 Exodus 33:11, "And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle." 

- 5th: Be connected  FOREVER with Him ("That where I am you may also be" and I will be with you always)

John 14:1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

John 14:15  “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth."

Matt 28:20 "and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV) "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

(Can I love God Part 2) Social Justice Anyone?

LOVE AND JUSTICE COEXISTING
Remember I told about 1 John 4 "God is Love." many people have trouble understanding Him as love as well as Holy and Just all at once. So, let me explain how Christ reconciles the perfect Holiness of God (He must to uphold righteousness and justice by nature and His character makes Him forever true to His Word and Holy standards) Well, how then do Grace and Wrath fit in the same plan? God must uphold Justice and "the wages ( consequence or punishment) of sin is death (romans 3)" and in the same chapter "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Now, if God must remain Holy and perfect and be the perfect Judge that His is, and you wouldn't want it any other way, than He has to punish sin. We as finite beings and sinners may ask "is that fair?" Yes, it is what we all deserve, no matter how nice a person seems, sin is still present.... that's why Jesus came. And you and I know that Jesus had to have chosen to come for lots of reasons.
If people don't want God to punish sin than Holiness and true Justice would not be exercised, and what would Jesus have died for? Jesus' death paid the "wages of sin" for "those who believe (john 1:12 and 3:16)" So, his love and mercy created a bridge to justice and wrath. For those who believe, God poured out the wrath and punishment that we earned unto Christ on the cross . Jesus' sacrifice satisfies true and fair justice, because OUR sin, for those who accept it, has been paid for, we are covered by the precious Blood of The Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world. Those who reject God's act and extension of divine love, grace and mercy, may say "I'll take my chances, or maybe He'll let me off the hook?" and still have to pay for the "wages" that they have earned by sinning over an over. Jesus offers them the chance for Him to pay their debt for them and some people refuse, thinking “if my good wages (deeds and their consequential actions) out weigh my bad ones than maybe that will be enough?" But as long as sin is still unaccounted for (by God who knows all), than the one who committed the sins will be held accountable for them unless they can pay or someone else (namely JESUS) can pay it for them.
Some people think they may think that this life gives them enough time to do enough good works to get by, but the law of God demands and requires perfection which only comes from Him any way. If we try to obtain perfection some other way we would “fall short” like Romans 3 says. Jesus said in the gospels that every “word" and "a man's works" will be judged according to what a person has done. Its more than fair, for God has given us an opportunity to receive a redemption that even angels don not get. AND His also gave us Himself, His Son, God in the Flesh. He came and dwelt among us (John 1). So, if God dies for us than that is above and beyond what a limited sense of justice like ours would obligate Him to do. His Mercy is so great because he didn't have to do all that just for us, He had the power and the right to destroy us all. And remember that God is Life itself and separation from Him, or Life, is death. than death is what we deserve, separation from Him, which is what hell truly is, I chose Christ I chose Life, you see? Any way, you may have heard this but I know that God's wrath is hard to understand sometimes, I just wanted to assure you that the God who has"lavished His love on us (Paul said)" is the same God who "will judge the living and the dead (1 peter)"AND that this is a good and marvelous truth that God can be both LOVE and JUSTICE all at once.

Praise God, Amen!! thanks for reading with and open heart. love you - B

Its like this, God is the Judge and Love as well. Let's Imagine a court room, maybe the Judge
(played by GOD) would be examining this case. The accuser (the devil) could say, “Your Honor, in the case of “the Law versus “mankind”, you have admitted to the whole human race, as recorded in their own texts, that “all like sheep have gone astray (Book of Isaiah)” and giving them your own Holy Law stating, “Chose this day... life or death (Exodus and Deuteronomy).” Therefore you're own words condemn them. Should you not correct this matter? than let the defendants be sentenced immediately.” And then the Defense counsel (Jesus) who is also the prosecution ( He would be the only one qualified for both positions) could say, “Your honor, Father, I do not need to remind this court of the agreement we had before the foundation of the world and the creation of mankind.” The judge could reply, “What I have done, I have done. All have sinned and fallen short of my Glory and the wages of (their) sin is death. Since, my glory has been dishonored and evil has taken place because of this sin, the price of death must be paid that My Law may be upheld in perfect justice.” So, maybe the Judge sends a summons letter, a copy of the law and explanations thereof (all 3 are in the Bible) to those who represent the whole human race (Prophets and Apostles). And part of the letter could say something like this, “Because of your deeds and disregard for the law a sentencing must commence-but your Advocate (lawyer) and I have come to an agreement that fulfills the law to the fullest degree, and still gives each of you a chance to pay for the damages that you have done according to your works... we have decided that you have exactly one lifetime or how ever long you live, to find someone else to pay this debt for you, since you are unable. He must be blameless and without sin, and worthy of the highest honor and praise in order to withstand death (the punishment) and my wrath. I am pleased to announce to the defendants, that the defense counsel Himself, Jesus Christ my own Son, has offered to pay these damages for you in accordance with the terms of the law. He has appeased my Holy anger and satisfied my jealous and compassionate love for you by willingly shedding His own blood unto death for each of you and rising again unto glory So, do you accept His offer and come into agreement with my only Son and I?” Now, God is really a Judge and Jesus is our real Advocate and doesn't this scenario sound somewhat similar to the Bible?

Signs of a Maturing Christian

7 SIGNS OF A MATURE CHRISTIAN

Spiritual Growth Series: Lesson 1
 Learn to Discern

When you meet someone who claims to be "spiritual" or "religious,"

 simply do as the Apostle Paul instructed,

 "Test and weigh everything!" (1 Thess 5:12; 1 Cor 14:29; 1 John 4:6)
And look for good Spiritual Fruit in their life (as in Galatians chapter 5).

You may also use these scriptures to test yourself.

Question 1:

Are they (and are you)

LED BY THE SPIRIT?  

Are they FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD?

Or are they (or perhaps you) just wandering around in the dark, subject to their/your fleshly impulses?

Exodus 35:31 And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding and in knowledge and in all craftsmanship;"

Micah 3:8 On the other hand I am filled with power— With the Spirit of the LORD— And with justice and courage To make known to Jacob his rebellious act, Even to Israel his sin."

Luke 1:15 "For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb." 

Luke 4:17 And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the [f]book and found the place where it was written,18 “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, 19 TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD."

Romans 8:14 "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God."

Galatians 5:18 "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."

Luke 1:67 "And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied," 

Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.

Acts 9:17 So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “ Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,"

Question 2:

 Are they (and are you)

BEARING THE FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?

 Or are they/we exhibiting hatred, malice, selfishness, and rage instead?

Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who [k]belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

 Galatians 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

Luke 6:43 "For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, [z]on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. 44 For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. 45 The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart."

John 15:8 "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples."

Question 3:

 Do they (and do you)

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD?

 Or are they self centered?

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

Luke 9:23 "Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."

Colossians 3:2 "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

4) Do they/we... BOAST IN THE LORD rather in themselves/ourselves?

1. Psalm 20:7 "Some boast in chariots and some in horses, But we will boast in the name of the LORD, our God."
2. Psalm 34:2 "My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice.

Question 4:

 Do they (and do we)

DEDICATE THEIR/OUR LIVES TO GOD?

Do they/we truly submit to God and His Word, the Bible?

Romans 12:1 "Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

Romans 6:13 "Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness."

1 Corinthians 6:20 "...you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."

Question 5:

 Do they (and do we)

CORRECTLY HANDLE THE WORD OF TRUTH? 

Do they/we want to receive revelation and wisdom from God to interpret His Word correctly?

2 TIMOTHY 2:15 "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."   

John 8:31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “ If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;"

Acts 17:11 "Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."

1 Corinthians 14:29 "Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said."

                                                                                          Question 6:

                                                                                   Do they (and do we)

                                                                         HAVE CHRIST'S CHARACTER?

                                            Note: Spiritual fruit is evidence of holy character in the inner man.

Philippians 2:1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,… 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

 Question 7:

Are they (and are you)

 PRESSING ON TOWARDS THE NEXT STEP IN THEIR/YOUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY?

Philipians 3:13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 4:15 "…but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,"

Hebrews 12:11 "All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.12 Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.14 Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;"

Hebrews 6: 1 "Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do, if God permits."

Conclusion 1: The Holy Spirit can give us "discernment" as Paul wrote, and help us "know them by their fruits" (Matt 7:16) as Jesus said.

1 Cor 12:7-11 "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good… to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits…All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines."


Conclusion 2: Sometimes the Lord simply reveals to us whether someone is trustworthy or not, or in "truth or error" (1 John 4:6)  through a gift or through proper examining as to how they handle truth.

1 John 4:6 "We are from God; he who knows God listens to us; he who is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."

“A Story of Three Men / or A Parable of the Trustworthy King?”

“A Story of Three Men /or
A Parable of the Trustworthy King?”

The Kingdom of God is similar this story:

There was a certain King who was the most righteous and noble of all kings, famous for his mighty deeds and known for His godly character. One day, He was deeply grieved because some of his own servants had betrayed him and rebelled against his father’s kingdom. He was not surprised, for many people did the same to his father. Therefore, he set it in his heart to obey the command of his father, “let us dwell not only with loyal servants but among a people to receive as our own. Ones who will love and trust us as sons and daughters, and brothers and sisters do.”







So, he began searching the entire earth for trustworthy people to call his own and fellowship with: that they would experience the love that he and his father shared together. During his adventures, he once traveled as a Sheppard, allowing humble garments to temporarily veil his royal clothing.







Eventually, he came upon a large city that was full of wickedness, and met three people outside its gates; an angry person, an indecisive one, and friend with a soft heart.






The first man came running from the opposite direction and rushes towards the city. He attempted to push the king aside, but the famous one was as an unmovable rock and kept him from his pursuit of wickedness. This man became angry and yelled at Him, “Who are you to get in my way?” So, the king revealed himself, but the angry one did not believe him. “You can’t be this man who you claim to be. I have heard many different things from all kinds of people regarding the king and he is not like you. Besides he does not come this way.” However, before the angry one could leave, the king warned him once more, “I tell you the truth, I AM. Also, if you continue on this path, you will surely die tonight. Rather, believe me for who I am. Come sup (eat) with me tonight, that you may dwell in my father’s house as one of our own. Then you we would trust one another and you will surly have abundant life and not taste death.” The man did not listen or heed the king’s godly warning and invitation, but hurried off into the city and pursued all his sinful desires.


A second man was wondering indecisively back and forth outside the city entrance, and asked the godly king for advice. They immediately recognized each other, and began walking and talking together.Then the trustworthy king invited him as he did with so many others, “Come sup (eat) with me, and dwell in my father’s house as a member of my own family. I will give you rest for your weary soul and you will have life. Then we might trust one another and live in peace.” The indecisive man was flattered by the request, but politely declined, “Though you are very willing to help me and I remember how trustworthy and powerful you are, I must do as I please for now. Later I will come, after short while. Once I have tried my own way in this city, doing all that I want with my own strength Then, I will surly come.” The trustworthy king was deeply saddened once more, but not surprised. He replied gently, “I tell you the truth, you are right in saying that I AM. Though my invitation is always yours, if you continue on this path you will surely die this very night while you sleep in your drunkenness. Rather, believe me for who I am ever more. Come follow me, be with me forever and you will most assuredly have life to the fullest.” However, the man convinced himself that he would come later and insisted that he go his own way for a period of time.


A third man was traveling in the same direction as the godly king and following in his footsteps along the same path. He begins walking beside him. “It is you!” he shouts joyfully, “Just as I have heard from your trusted friends! I too, am in search of those with good character that we might be as brothers and dwell in peace together. Yet, I am tired from the trials of my journey; let’s stop in the city for a while. I know this place is evil, so we won’t stay long.” He then led him to the entrance of the city gates but the good king stopped and rebuked him gently, “if you continue on this path, you will surely die tonight.” Then the tired one, in holy fear, took him at his word and believed. So, he asked, “My gracious king, you are truly greater than all man I have ever known. Say the word, and I will obey. Therefore, tell me how I may find life instead of death?” The king answered, “You have brought me great delight good and faithful servant. For I know you will believe me for who I am and serve me through the ends of your days. Come, you are now my brother. Follow me, and we will sup (eat) together, and dwell with my father in peace. Then, you will have the abundant life you seek.”Immediately, he came to his senses and heeded the words of the king. Therefore, they turned around and did as the king had instructed.




Later that very night, just as the king prophesied, a band of robbers came and burned the wicked city to the ground. Everyone there, including the first two men, was killed. Though they were warned by the most trustworthy of all men, and the greatest king is history, they did not believe.

On his journey, the king found more people who would not repent and take his hand, but the countless others who longed for the love of his father and joined him became as numerous as the stars.


-END-

The Meaning:

The godly king one represents Christ, the King of all kings: God Himself inviting men to His home (Heaven) to be one with Him, and adopting them as sons of God. The angry man is in rebellion towards God and knows his own selfishness and stubbornness. He persists to do things his way and dies because he did not believe God that “the road to destruction is wide.” Instead, this person believed what others people said and even believed wrongly or incorrectly about God. The second man is someone who is familiar with God but never knew Him intimately. He wants to join God, but is led astray by the world and his own sinful desires. The third is one who is in continual search for God, but has worn himself out by trying to do much of his rightful journey by his own strength. He begins towards destruction, but his childlike faith, given him by the Holy Spirit causes him to heed (trust and obey) the word of the Lord instead. The wicked city burning to the ground represents “the place of weeping and gnashing of teeth” that Jesus calls Hell or Hades. The two men made their choice and the righteous man his as well. What will yours be? Proverbs of Solomon: There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end leads to death: Many are the plans of a man’s heart, but the will of God prevails:Trust in the LORD with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledged Him and He will direct your paths. Also, Isaiah prophesied, “there is not one person righteous, we have all like sheep, gone astray to our own wicked ways.”-

CAN and DO I LOVE GOD? Part 1

CAN and DO I LOVE GOD?

Many of Christians have spoken with countless friends, family members and strangers of the deep things of God, the details of faith , and even of hypocrisy and that which wages war against Him. Some of those conversations were merely debates or arguments, while some, reaping much joy, were Holy Spirit inspired and definably Divine Moments or Appointments of what is referred to as Divine Intervention. Millions of people talk about God and sometimes those conversations actually help people grow closer to Him. Whether believer or heathen, spiritually mature or not, seeker or skeptic, devout or foolish: Don’t you wonder certain things about Him. Like “Is God is like us? Does He love? Does He bleed? Does He know what it’s like to die?” Well, Judeo-Christians have taught for two thousand years that the answer is “Yes.” However, I have another question that many skeptics, seekers and believers, even some more mature ones, think about, whether they have not voiced it with words or not. The question is not if God can love “me,” but if “I” can love God. You may have heard the message and Good News of Jesus Christ, that God loves you (John 3:16) but does it work both ways? So, can you love God? I know that masses of people can name at least one person in their life whom they claim to “love,” but are you able to love Him in the same manner as you love others or in a higher fashion, if that is truly possible? God should be easy to love, right? I think He is, but do you? Are you entranced by His majesty, beauty, strength, wisdom, splendor and character? I find Him irresistible because I know Him. I know Him only from the fact that He first knew me, loved me, sought me out, and revealed Himself to me. In order to love God we must ask ourselves, “Is He worth loving?” and “Would He be effected by my love?” He has everything and is everything. So, would it even matter to Him if I said those three words for Him and really meant them? Yes…Yes and Yes, it would!

The Apostles John, who walked so closely with JESUS that he “leaned his head on His chest,” says that “God is Love (1 John).” Well, if He is love than loving Him should be simple. There is only one issue though, we are not the embodiment of love itself. We, aka the human race, have fallen from grace. “All have sane and fallen short of God’s glory.” Without getting too wrapped up in our sin and depravity lets remember what happened before all our troubles: “ and He made them male and female in His image, in the image of God He made them.” So, if God is Love itself or Himself, than the desire to love should be supernaturally engrained or deposited some how into the very nature of those made in His image. The ability needs awakened by the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ, the lover of our souls, but I believe that He has already put at least the desire in our hearts. Some have fought it, “in the last day the love of men will grow cold,” Others have sown into it, “If I have but not love, than I am a resounded noise.”

It’s not the “love” characteristic of God that some people have issues with. Rather, as rebellious teenagers may resist the discipline of a parent who will not yield to their comprises, some avoid God like a criminal does the police. He is the ultimate JUDGE of all things said and done, and "will judge the living and the dead” (1 Peter). Though the full extent of His Judgment is not fulfilled or has completely come to pass, He has historically exercised some portions of His wrath. Read the Old Testament and there are many examples. I have heard some say that these instances are what they have trouble with in regards to knowing God. They say, “how can a loving God do that, like have someone killed or cursed?” Well, He alone (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) qualifies as judge because He is perfect and Holy. He tells us to “Hate evil and love good ” (Romans 12:9, Amos 5:15, Psalm 97:10) for He is obligated by His own character to do just that. We need this Character impregnated in us otherwise we may yield to the sinful nature which entices us to revert to “survival mode” and focus on self preservation and selfishness. God unlike us, enjoys being Holy and above all. He reviles evil and makes all things work out for good, whether instantly or in His time. While on His first earthly ministry Jesus exemplified this truth. When the poor and the things of God were exploited He acted without much hesitation. He kicked the money changers out of the Temple. Though He cleansed the temple 3 times, He was there many other times without doing cleansing it. Even so, He eventually could no longer stand by a watch evil persist. God has his buttons and they are being pressed or pushed daily. However, he sees things through an eternal perspective where one day He will respond is such strength towards the evils that mock His Holiness and oppress the innocent in such ways that they will be utterly destroyed,. After this time Jesus said that “I will “make all things new” and that God will wipe away all the tears from their eyes of His children.



When I was 16 years old I was in a Youth group Sunday school service I where I observed a video with speaker, pastor, author and socialogist Tony Campolo. He said, “you can believe are the right stuff and not LOVE JESUS!” Ten years later a friend told me one day “ I just don’t feel like playing this good Christian thing anymore… saying God Bless you and not telling people what I really feel.” I responded with many words but first, told “Good. Now that you honest with God He can build upward from there.” You see it wasn’t about my friend pretending to a good Christian to make some of the other, possibly more legalistic Christians around him happy with him. It’s if he LOVE’S JESUS! He had a history of drugs and promiscuity, and needed to give that up to God not only because it was the right thing to do and he rightfully felt convicted over it, but because he loved Jesus. While writing this I have come to the understanding that my next conversation with him should be about this truth. When I was 18 an old friend of mine with a slight catholic upbringing had become involve with new age belief and witchcraft. When sometimes talked about Christ he admitted, “Yeagh, Jesus is different though.” He was saying that there was something about Jesus that was mysterious, right and attractive. So, why didn’t he embrace Jesus with all his might? I don’t know. I hope he has now. He desparately wanted to follow and probably new that God loved Him so much that He sent his son to die, but my friend didn’t know how to love Jesus for some reason, at least not yet





LOVE AND JUSTICE COEXISTING
Remember I told about 1 John 4 "God is Love." many people have trouble understanding Him as love as well as Holy and Just all at once. So, let me explain how Christ reconciles the perfect Holiness of God (He must to uphold righteousness and justice by nature and His character makes Him forever true to His Word and Holy standards) Well, how then do Grace and Wrath fit in the same plan? God must uphold Justice and "the wages ( consequence or punishment) of sin is death (romans 3)" and in the same chapter "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Now, if God must remain Holy and perfect and be the perfect Judge that His is, and you wouldn't want it any other way, than He has to punish sin. We as finite beings and sinners may ask "is that fair?" Yes, it is what we all deserve, no matter how nice a person seems, sin is still present.... that's why Jesus came. And you and I know that Jesus had to have chosen to come for lots of reasons.
If people don't want God to punish sin than Holiness and true Justice would not be exercised, and what would Jesus have died for? Jesus' death paid the "wages of sin" for "those who believe (john 1:12 and 3:16)" So, his love and mercy created a bridge to justice and wrath. For those who believe, God poured out the wrath and punishment that we earned unto Christ on the cross . Jesus' sacrifice satisfies true and fair justice, because OUR sin, for those who accept it, has been paid for, we are covered by the precious Blood of The Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world. Those who reject God's act and extension of divine love, grace and mercy, may say "I'll take my chances, or maybe He'll let me off the hook?" and still have to pay for the "wages" that they have earned by sinning over an over. Jesus offers them the chance for Him to pay their debt for them and some people refuse, thinking “if my good wages (deeds and their consequential actions) out weigh my bad ones than maybe that will be enough?" But as long as sin is still unaccounted for (by God who knows all), than the one who committed the sins will be held accountable for them unless they can pay or someone else (namely JESUS) can pay it for them.
Some people think they may think that this life gives them enough time to do enough good works to get by, but the law of God demands and requires perfection which only comes from Him any way. If we try to obtain perfection some other way we would “fall short” like Romans 3 says. Jesus said in the gospels that every “word" and "a man's works" will be judged according to what a person has done. Its more than fair, for God has given us an opportunity to receive a redemption that even angels don not get. AND His also gave us Himself, His Son, God in the Flesh. He came and dwelt among us (John 1). So, if God dies for us than that is above and beyond what a limited sense of justice like ours would obligate Him to do. His Mercy is so great because he didn't have to do all that just for us, He had the power and the right to destroy us all. And remember that God is Life itself and separation from Him, or Life, is death. than death is what we deserve, separation from Him, which is what hell truly is, I chose Christ I chose Life, you see? Any way, you may have heard this but I know that God's wrath is hard to understand sometimes, I just wanted to assure you that the God who has"lavished His love on us (Paul said)" is the same God who "will judge the living and the dead (1 peter)"AND that this is a good and marvelous truth that God can be both LOVE and JUSTICE all at once.

Praise God, Amen!! thanks for reading with and open heart. love you - B

Its like this, God is the Judge and Love as well. Let's Imagine a court room, maybe the Judge
(played by GOD) would be examining this case. The accuser (the devil) could say, “Your Honor, in the case of “the Law versus “mankind”, you have admitted to the whole human race, as recorded in their own texts, that “all like sheep have gone astray (Book of Isaiah)” and giving them your own Holy Law stating, “Chose this day... life or death (Exodus and Deuteronomy).” Therefore you're own words condemn them. Should you not correct this matter? than let the defendants be sentenced immediately.” And then the Defense counsel (Jesus) who is also the prosecution ( He would be the only one qualified for both positions) could say, “Your honor, Father, I do not need to remind this court of the agreement we had before the foundation of the world and the creation of mankind.” The judge could reply, “What I have done, I have done. All have sinned and fallen short of my Glory and the wages of (their) sin is death. Since, my glory has been dishonored and evil has taken place because of this sin, the price of death must be paid that My Law may be upheld in perfect justice.” So, maybe the Judge sends a summons letter, a copy of the law and explanations thereof (all 3 are in the Bible) to those who represent the whole human race (Prophets and Apostles). And part of the letter could say something like this, “Because of your deeds and disregard for the law a sentencing must commence-but your Advocate (lawyer) and I have come to an agreement that fulfills the law to the fullest degree, and still gives each of you a chance to pay for the damages that you have done according to your works... we have decided that you have exactly one lifetime or how ever long you live, to find someone else to pay this debt for you, since you are unable. He must be blameless and without sin, and worthy of the highest honor and praise in order to withstand death (the punishment) and my wrath. I am pleased to announce to the defendants, that the defense counsel Himself, Jesus Christ my own Son, has offered to pay these damages for you in accordance with the terms of the law. He has appeased my Holy anger and satisfied my jealous and compassionate love for you by willingly shedding His own blood unto death for each of you and rising again unto glory So, do you accept His offer and come into agreement with my only Son and I?” Now, God is really a Judge and Jesus is our real Advocate and doesn't this scenario sound somewhat similar to the Bible?