LOVE AND GOOD WORKS
Friday – March 9, 2018
Are we shooting at and hitting the targets that Scripture has assigned us? Or are we oblivious to the fact that God has assigned spiritual, Scriptural targets to strive for and achieve. Diligence in the Kingdom of God has no limit on achievement. The only one limiting anyone is they themselves. Achievement in the Kingdom of God is always the expected result, anything less is of our choosing not God’s. Now let’s read aloud our primary Bible text for today’s teaching.
Hebrews 10:22-27 (KJV)
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Today I will pickup where we left off yesterday in Hebrews 10:24. Twenty-four has to do with the priesthood and priestly functions. Therefore, we might conclude that this verse will deal more with our priestly obligations than our kingly obligations. One of our foremost obligations as a priest is intercession for our brothers and sisters as well as the unsaved (those pre-salvation). As my teachings from the Book of Hebrews for this week draw to an end we will focus on Bible “love” and Bible “good works”. Although there are many words translated as “love” this one is the highest order of love, the same love that God is and thereby so are we. This is “agape” love, the word “works” has to do with the expenditure of energy, deeds, doing, and labor.
First, let’s deal with love. It seems to me that for the most part the Church is doggedly hanging onto the worlds ideas or definitions of love. It seems to be an emotional and physical sensation attachment to another. That is not at all what Godly love is although there will be an emotional component and perhaps even a physical sensation at times; however, this is not the proof or anywhere near the highest order of Godly love. The Christians looking first and foremost to what they can readily see, experience emotionally, or feel, are primarily carnal and not spiritual. I hope that all of those reading this are aware of the components of Bible (agape) love. Leading the pack of three is obedience to the Word of God. Second is selflessness and this is found in detail in what is called the love chapter, 1 Corinthians chapter thirteen. Third is awareness of and adherence to the obligations of the Blood Covenant. I recently had a Sunday series that detailed the ten most prominent features of Blood Covenant. If you missed that, it would be worthwhile going back and reviewing that material. It is always worthwhile to review the love chapter, the chapter that highlights how love in the Kingdom is selfless. God was certainly selfless to come and take care of our sin problem. Although, I have teased these three standards of Bible love out they are really tightly intertwined. Now let’s look at the obedience to the Word aspect for this is at the core of Bible love.
John 14:21 (KJV)
21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
This seems pretty clear, if we want the manifestation of God in our lives we must find out what the commandments are, guard them in our heart, and do them. We see that when we exercise this Godly love then God loves us. What does that mean? It means that by our exercise of love (our obligation) then God will exercise love (His obligation) towards us. Everything we will ever need is in place but does not come into our laps except by certain criteria which are the exercise of unwavering faith and love. When we exercise love, God responds with love towards us. Everything that we will need for eternity was put in place by the exercise of God’s love at Calvary. It is awaiting our faith and love. Let’s review the following verses.
Luke 6:46-48 (KJV)
46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
As this story continues you will remember that the other guy built on sand and had overwhelming destruction in his life. The rock is Christ Jesus. Which one of these scenario’s describes our lives?
1 John 5:2-4 (KJV)
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Is this keeping of His commandments getting on your nerves? God’s love and our love are not two different loves and neither is the extent of that love to be different. This love, this love of God, and God is love, therefore we are love for we have His spiritual DNA and at the resurrection the same physical DNA as Christ Jesus. At salvation our love (Godly love) will be puny like a child born to the strongest man in the world will be puny in comparison. However, that same child can grow to be as his father physically and we are to be as our Heavenly Father, as the Master (Jesus) in the spirit realm. We are of like kind, we are not a different kind or species like angels. I will pick up right here Lord willing on Monday.
Until our next publication, I speak blessing into your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)
24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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