Love without…

hypocrisy.

The Bible doesn’t just tell us what not to do.

Rather, God gives us both the do and the don’t.

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Romans 12:9‭-‬14 NKJV

Here, we see the instruction: “Let love be without hypocrisy.”

Followed up with how we are to accomplish this.

Starting with abhorring what is evil.

We can’t possibly love and not be hypocrites if we allow wickedness in the form of a “pet sin” to reside in our hearts.

Therefore we must confess our sins to God, ask for forgiveness, and cling to what is good.

Luke 18:19 KJV — And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

Only God is good.

When we are clinging to God, we can indeed, be kindly affectionate to others, in brotherly love, giving honor and preference to one another.

1 Thessalonians 5:15 KJV — See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

Hebrews 12:14 KJV — Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

God’s goodness is where we first see love without hypocrisy, for the sins of mankind has tainted our love.

Yet, we can love without hypocrisy by cleaving our hearts to God with diligence and earnest continuance.

Acts 18:25 KJV — This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

Scripture speaks clearly of what occurs if one neglects this step.

Matthew 24:12 KJV — And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Our actions must be in response to our love for God.

Loving without hypocrisy means we are serving the Lord, rejoicing in our hope of eternity, patient in trouble and looking to God, continuing in prayer with perseverance.

These choices bring us to serving others in practical ways such as:

“distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
Romans 12:13‭-‬14 NKJV

It’s not about living unto ourselves nor our pleasures nor our needs nor our own ideas.

It’s lovingly looking to God Almighty and living as He directs us through His Word and the Holy Spirit.

If God loved the world so much that He died to save us, we too need to walk in such love.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 3:16‭-‬17 NKJV

Love without hypocrisy means our hearts, and thus our lives are reflecting the love of God to those around us.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your love. Thank You for Your Word which teaches me about that love and about You. Lord, please continue to help me to be directed by Your Word and to apply it to my heart and my life. Lord, please show me where I’m loving with hypocrisy. Please reveal my heart’s condition that I might repent of any sin. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

An example of love from a child

Our grandchildren were over last weekend.

They have been a wonderful example of how to love.

Both our granddaughter and grandson love their baby sister.

Now that she is sitting up and crawling they are rejoicing in the opportunities to spend time with her.

They give her toys.

They talk to her.

They hug her and kiss her often.

(Which is what Faye is doing in the photo above.)

While we were watching the children, Joy took a nap.

I was blessed by each of her siblings reactions to her waking up.

I was holding her, when her sweet eyes opened, she blinked, smiled, and sat up.

Faye noticed first.

“She’s awake!” She squealed, dropped her toy, jumped up and ran over to grab Joy’s hand and plant a kiss on her head.

“Awake! Awake!” Little brother sang as he too jumped to his feet to come smiling over and at look baby sister like she was a brand new gift he couldn’t get enough of.

The exuberance quickly abated, as littles don’t have a long attention span, but their celebration over their sister brought me nearly to tears.

Our children are wonderful examples of how a family should love each other.

They dropped what they were doing to welcome their sister, although she’d only been “gone” sleeping for a couple hours.

They were nearly excessive in their showering of affection, but Joy loved it.

Their joy and excitement over this beautiful new life is inspiring.

And their priority of making a point of welcoming and loving their sister is a reminder to me to be mindful of my own behavior.

Do I welcome my family to our home as warmly as I do visitors?

Am I putting my children, my husband, and others before my own tasks?

Have I been thoughtful about expressing my joy and love to those precious to me?

Has my appreciation for the gift of each life become dulled by my familiarity and self centered perspective?

Do I look on people and really appreciate how precious God views each?

I’m so thankful for our grandchildren and the inspiration God has brought through their example.

Matthew 18:4 KJV — Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:5 KJV — And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for children! What an incredible blessing they are. Please continue to hone my heart and help me to apply these lessons You are teaching me. Lord, I want to come to You as a child, with trust and humility. Lord, please restore my child-like love, while retaining the wisdom of adulthood. Lord, I know You have an incredible love for children and I want to love as You do. You loved mankind to such an incredible point that You sacrificed Yourself for us! Wow. I want to love like that. Please help me to understand Your Word, and obey the direction of Your Holy Spirit. Please continue to protect the innocent and supply the helpless. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Many things

This week has been full of teaching moments for me.

And I’m the student.

The Lord has used this busy week to squeeze and some of the attitudes which came out were not honorable.

Like the moment when I felt the Lord’s leading to do something and my first reaction was:

“I don’t want to.”

I was embarrassed by my two-year-old response, asked the Lord for forgiveness, and did what He asked.

But my “mouthing off”, in my heart, had closed the communication.

I couldn’t hear the Lord while I completed the task.

Much later, I related to my husband the lesson.

Several times this week, I’ve had to take captive my thoughts, as a dart of fear has crossed my mind.

“What if…?!”

I’d begin to feel frightened and then remember:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

“Lord, I am feeling afraid of the future, but I trust You with it, no matter the outcome.”

“You have to get that done or else…!”

Being weary in body, I’d groan inwardly at the lack of ability to complete something else.

Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him…

“Lord Jesus, I want to know Your priorities, please help me not to act out of fear.”

“You need to make this happen because…!”

“Lord, this doesn’t sound like You. Jesus, please help me not to be afraid. I don’t want to do anything in my own strength. Lord, I don’t know what to do to resolve this, please guide me. Please guard my heart from my own flesh which seeks it’s own good.”

Then there was yesterday.

A circumstance occurred which my husband handled in a way I didn’t expect and placed us in a bind.

My week of guarding against walking in the flesh helped and I heard the Lord remind my heart to trust my husband.

Rather than ask my husband why he responded as he did or try to jump in and “fix”, I simply asked him:

“Okay, what’s the plan now?”

His response was brief, “I don’t know.”

It was tempting to offer suggestions, to point out a quick solution, to give him the “we need…!”.

Thankfully, I didn’t do anything, besides pray.

Yes, some of those prayers were borderline to worrying, but I was being honest with my emotions, laying myself before my Heavenly Father, and trusting Him.

Part of the struggle in this is my husband will be gone all day today, first to work and then to help someone from our church move.

Jase is going with his dad, to help, and Anne is working from afternoon till closing.

There’s a lot which needs tending to today and I’m the only one with time to do them.

This truth seemed to rub my mind, like a loose thread I couldn’t pull nor cut off.

Until, I woke this morning.

It’s a blessing to help others.

Snip!

That thread was broken instantly, and I thanked the Lord for another lesson.

Jesus is our example in all things.

He was constantly serving people, whether it was healings, teachings, or through compassion, like blessing the little children.

We too are supposed to be living daily, diligent about our own work, but willing to help others, loving and serving as He did.

Serving is often costly.

It requires us to give in one way or another.

It, like every other area of our lives, needs to be led by the Holy Spirit and God’s Word.

When we are walking in His ways and truth we need not allow fear to trample our faith, even when the service to others puts us in a bind.

For Christ gave not just of His time and talents, He gave His life.

John 15:13 KJV — Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

1 John 3:16 KJV — Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for this week. Thank You for the lessons You are teaching me. Thank You for helping me learn to listen and obey. Thank You for teaching me to keep every thought captive and to compare it with scripture before acting upon it or accepting it and dwelling on it. Please continue to hone my heart, I want to be honorable before You. Lord, thank You for Your truth and example. Thank You for reminding me of what is truly important. Lord, You know what is best and I trust You to guide and direct both myself and my husband. Please show us what You want us to do today. I give You tomorrow and trust You to handle it, for I know today holds enough trouble, I need not borrow any from tomorrow. Thank You, Jesus for providing for us. Thank You for being our Maker and the One who saved us from sin and death. Thank You for continuing to teach and love me as I walk each day. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

List

Recorded,

carefully maintained,

numbered, categorized,

individually tabbed,

multi-colored, and so carefully preserved.

All of this for a vitality important task.

Each to be rehashed and remembered.

A record of wrongs, when opened it tears away any shred of healing , causing the sufferer to stare back into the wound.

Lists to cement into the consciousness the horrible experiences brought about by the hands of others’ sin.

This is what the enemy and our own flesh does with the wrongs committed against us.

Before one even understands the danger, they drag these lists with them, as a constant reminder to the pain they’ve experienced.

Wouldn’t it all just be fixed if they knew, really knew how they’d hurt us?

If they just apologized or better yet if they changed…

Maybe it’s such a severe thing, pain cries out for punishment, because their sin ruined…

But wait.

Stop the self-centered pity and see what God has to say.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
1 Corinthians 13:4‭-‬5 NIV

When our flesh and the lies of the enemy tempt us to refuse true forgiveness by keeping a list of wrongs, we are not loving.

When we choose to drag around our invisible list of things which have “happened to me”, we are refusing God’s healing and trading it for misery.

Bitterness eats at the soul, slowly, but surely.

It refuses comfort.

It repeals reconciliation.

It denies truth.

The only one who has a right to judge another is the one who has done nothing wrong.

1 Peter 2:22 KJV — Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

Jesus, alone is the One, the rest of mankind is guilty.

Romans 3:23 KJV — For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

What bitterness denies is the truth that no one has a right to judge the sinful acts of another, because we are each one guilty before God.

Only through the forgiveness of sins can we be cleansed and then stand in righteousness.

Love doesn’t simply ignore sin.

Shrugging the shoulders and responding with, “Hey, we’re all sinners, so oh well.”

Rather it understands the price of sin, revers the One who paid for sin, and looks to mend the brokenness caused by sin.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:6‭-‬7 NIV

Love builds relationships where bitterness tears them down.

Love offers reconciliation, where bitterness refuses to be vulnerable, hiding behind the lie that it’s only wise to protect one’s self.

Love looks first at Jesus and all He did, all He suffered, all He forgave, and says “I will follow His example”.

Bitterness simply looks at the pain, replaying the injustice, reopening the festering heart to accusations, blame, and anything else which would rob the soul of all Christ has.

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 6:14‭-‬15 NIV

Let us, each one, recognize the incredible mercy of God and His love towards us.

Let’s throw away lists of wrong, keeping in step with love and shutting out the enemy of our souls.

For bitterness is simply a tool of the wicked one, and our Savior destroyed all the power of the enemy when He rose from the grave.

Let’s replace those lists with ones from God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22‭-‬25 NIV

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
1 Corinthians 13:4‭-‬8 NIV

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8‭-‬9 NIV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your love and forgiveness. Lord Jesus, we are so blessed to have Your mercy and grace. Your salvation is awesome. Only through You do we find healing from hurt, restoration from things lost, fullness from lack, and relationship from separation. You reached through all that sin had accomplished to destroy me and plucked my heart out of the mire, placing me in peace, comfort, and security in Your holy name and the works of Your righteousness. Truly, there is none like You. Truly, Your Word is life and Your way is the only way. Truly, Your love is true love. Please make me into Your image. Restore what sin has stolen and teach me how to walk in Your ways, following after Your truth, loving as You do. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

It’s loving one another

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

Jesus made it clear.

It’s loving one another which testifies of our identity.

Not what we have.

Not where we live.

Not our occupation.

It is loving as Jesus has loved.

That is a tall order.

Jesus loved to the death and beyond the grave.

His disciples did too.

Church history records each and every one of the eleven (Judas the betrayer committed suicide) was persecuted for their devotion for Jesus Christ and only John survived these persecutions.

All the rest died for their love of Jesus.

And through their testimony innumerable people were saved.

These eleven men proved Jesus’s words were true and they are just as true today.

It is through loving as Christ loves that we show ourselves disciples.

1 John 2:5-6NKJV — But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

1 John 3:11 NKJV — For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You so much for Your Word. Lord, please help me to love as You do. Lord, please guide and direct my heart. Please grant me discernment for today and wisdom. Lord, thank You for Your love and for Your example. May our lives shine the truth of Your love, that others may come to know You. Thank You for Your wondrous works. Thank You for healing, provision, understanding, and salvation. Please continue to reach those who have yet to know You. Thank You, Lord. Amen.

Trusting…

God knows what I need far more than I do.

My own understanding is not only short-sighted, it’s tainted.

Sin distorts my ability to perceive things accurately.

Therefore, my heart must trust in the Lord and His Word.

Proverbs 3:5 NKJV — Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;

Walking in this means surrendering my own opinions on what is best and chosing to place myself in the hands of God by following His commands.

Reason alone might argue the antiquity of scripture renders it out dated and unconventional, placing it’s instructions on the shelf as “good for only a season” which has long passed.

Yet to this argument we find God’s response:

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV — All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Our daily choice is whether we apply God’s Word to our lives or walk in our own ways.

Proverbs 3:6 NKJV — In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Trusting God, is choosing to follow Him, with our cross upon our shoulder, our eyes fixed upon His truth, and a heart completely surrendered to the One who loved us first and best.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You that no matter the circumstances I can rest in You and find comfort in scripture. Lord, thank You for this season I’m currently in. Thank You for teaching me so many things and walking me forward into each day. Lord Jesus, thank You for Your love and how perfect Your perspective is. Thank You that I can know my soul is safe with You and there’s nothing more comforting then that. I praise Your holy name, Lord! Thank You for Your truth! May my life bring glory to Your name. Amen.

We have moved

Praise the Lord!

We are so thankful to God for His blessings while we have walked through this transition.

I’d have to stop and count how many times we have moved in our 24 years of marriage, but each one has held different challenges and blessings.

This one stretched me in ways I didn’t think possible.

The Lord has taken our family through many changes and this one is as full of His lessons as the others have been.

God has been in our move the whole time and provided in ways we didn’t expect.

Yes, we had wonderful help!

Anne came for Thursday and Friday.

Our oldest daughter’s hubby spent all of Wednesday and Saturday.

It has been an incredible testimony to God’s goodness as well as a chance to learn through new experiences

Throughout this transition of buying, remolding, and moving I’ve been seeking the Lord’s face.

Because I’ve learned that on my own I haven’t the slightest idea of what is best, only through the Lord’s leading can I have discernment and wisdom.

I’ve also wanted this transition to be filled with peace and joy, not striving or disagreement.

It has been through the Lord’s Word that I’ve found the key to be able to stay in unison with my husband throughout this whole process.

Romans 12:10 KJV — Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Neither of us has held tightly to anything, but instead we’ve prayed, discussed, and adjusted.

If we had opposing opinions on something we talked about our different ideas with kindness and gave each other the opportunity to see the individual concerns or priorities.

Continually, I prayed about details along with the general things.

We had some set backs, but rather than allow stress to rob me of my joy, I prayed and trusted the Lord.

Our plans have been changed and adjusted, our schedule has been continually shifting, but through it we have learned that we can be flexible and loving no matter what.

God has used each circumstance to give us an opportunity to trust Him more, to surrender our desires, and to prefer each other rather than demanding our own way.

It’s been a beautiful process and I’m so thankful.

Through this move we can glorify God for His faithfulness and love, His provision and direction, His blessings.

Especially, the joy of new opportunities in a new home and a new community.

Praise the Lord!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your help in all of this. Thank You that we have learned so much throughout this long transition. Lord Jesus, we want to be a blessing in this place to those around us. Lord, please help us to honor You with all we have and in all we do. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Sharp truth

Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool. Proverbs 10:18 NLT

Is there any who can not see themselves in these words, at one time or another?

God’s Word cuts through our excuses for ungodly behavior and reveals the truth of what these attitudes are:

lies and foolishness.

Rather, we must be on guard against allowing such things in our lives and be quick to repent when they are discovered among us.

For our tongues are to be under submission to the Lord Jesus.

When they are not we bring ridicule to our Savior.

James 3:9-10 NKJV — With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

If we are followers of Christ Jesus, our actions, our attitudes, and our words need to be in line with what God says is His expectation for His children.

Ephesians 5:1-2 NKJV — Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

God’s Word is sharper than any two edged sword.

Hebrews 4:12 KJV — For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

And it is a wonderful gift for us, the children of God, to teach us, admonish us, encourage us, and to bring us life.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV — All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Praise the Lord!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the truth, direction, guidance, and correction we find in Your scriptures. Lord, please help us to read, understand, and accurately apply Your truths daily. Lord, our lives often get bogged down in the muck of our sin and the more of a sinful world. Lord, please help us be on guard against sin and to repent quickly when we have sinned. Lord, please place a guard over our lips that we might not curse our fellow man nor mock another of Your creation nor slander or neighbor. Lord, please keep us from bring dishonor to Your name by walking in ways which are counter to Your character. Lord, please teach us how to love well, to live selflessly, and to be totally surrendered to You. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Arguing

Like this picture, my perspective was a little skewed.

My husband had said, “Why do you do that? Why do you contradict everything I say?”

I nearly laughed when I responded with, “I don’t.”

He raised his eyebrows at me and smiled.

I apologized.

Although, I really didn’t feel I always contradicted my husband I did feels prick about it when I was praying.

If it’s important to my husband it should be important to me.

So, I asked the Lord to help me see when I was arguing with him.

Turns out, I do contradict him, often.

It’s not malicious nor was I really aware of it.

But there’s so many little moments when I was not careful with my words.

Yesterday we were Zooming a friend and I realized my “quick to listen and slow to speak” was backwards.

I’d been quick to speak and slow to listen.

Uhg.

Thankfully, both God and my husband are very patient and forgiving.

Today, I’m asking the Lord to continue to help me with this area.

First, that I see myself clearly and then that I am careful with my words.

Because words that build up are not words of contradiction.

Yes, there are times and places to stand for the truth when a lie is being pronounced as truth.

But between my husband and myself, there’s no reason for me to speak as I have.

I know if we have a conflict or misunderstanding the way to handle it is not before others, not with words that infer he is completely wrong, but instead with honesty, compassion, and love.

My contradicting him was simply a blindness to my own carelessness.

Frankly, I’d be embarrassed if it weren’t for my husband’s loving attitude.

Which in turn makes me want to deal with this poor behavior even more.

It’s wonderful how God has brought to light an area which was askew and is teaching me how to correct it.

Just another example of God’s love, His goodness, and His grace.

1 Peter 2:24 NKJV — who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

I’m so thankful to God!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for showing me my error. Lord, please continue to teach me to guard my words, to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Lord, please continue to heal my perspective, that I might not sin against You or anyone else. Lord, my heart is glad You have broken through an area I was stubbornly refusing to see. Please let the words of David stand for me as well.

Psalm 69:5-6 NKJV — O God, You know my foolishness; And my sins are not hidden from You. Let not those who wait for You, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed because of me; Let not those who seek You be confounded because of me, O God of Israel.

Lord, please do not allow my sins to hinder my family’s relationship with You. Instead, please use my errors to help my family avoid these things in their own life. Lord, I thank You for Your mercy and grace. I thank You for Your truth and patience. May Your name be glorified today. Amen.

Abstaining

1 Peter 2:11-12 NKJV Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

How are those called by Christ’s name to witness to those who have yet to know Him?

Two things: abstaining from fleshly lusts and good works.

These instructions are given elsewhere as well.

Romans 13:14 KJV — But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

The Lord knew we needed more than just the command “don’t do”: put off fleshly lusts; He knew we needed a “do”: put on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Because without Jesus, we are simply slaves to our flesh and chained to our sin.

Scripture clearly outlines what fleshly lusts leads to, that we might recognize the danger.

Galatians 5:19-21 KJV — Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

1 John 2:16 KJV — For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Scripture also gives us many verses as to those things we should be “putting on”, the gifts of the Spirit and the works of Christ.

2 Timothy 2:22 KJV — Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Galatians 5:22-24 NKJV — But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Colossians 3:12-14 NKJV — Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

God’s Word tells us that putting off the flesh and putting on Jesus Christ is a testimony to those who accuse us, to those who have yet to know Him.

It is how we shine brightly in a lost and dark world.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for these practical and understandable lessons. Lord, thank You for giving both a warning and an instruction. Thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to convict of sin, that I might not deceive myself, thinking I’m fine, when the truth is I need You daily. Thank You that Your Word brings me such peace as I daily learn to walk with You. Lord, for those who have yet to know You, please continue to use my life and the lives of others who love You as a testament to Your goodness, Your glory, Your holiness, Your truth. Lord, please let the world see the truth, turn to You and be healed. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.