LOVE OF GOD : THE FOUNDATION FOR VICTORIOUS LIVING (12) by SAM P CHELLADURAI

LOVE OF GOD

THE FOUNDATION FOR VICTORIOUS LIVING

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

We have been looking at various revelations of God’s love. Last week, we looked at the compassionate love of God that never quits. Today, let’s look at the love of God that was demonstrated for the sinner.

It can be best described from the parable of the Prodigal Son. Let’s head over to Luke 15.

¹¹ Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. ¹² And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. ¹³ And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. ¹⁴ But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. ¹⁵ Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. ¹⁶ And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.

¹⁷ “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! ¹⁸ I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, ¹⁹ and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’

²⁰ “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. ²¹ And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. ²³ And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; ²⁴ for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

²⁵ “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. ²⁷ And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’

²⁸ “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. ³⁰ But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’

³¹ “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. ³² It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’”

Luke 15:11-32

INTERESTING FACTS

Let me quickly run you through some interesting facts about this parable.

1. It is called the crown and pearl of all parables.

2. Charles Dickens described it as ‘the finest short story ever written’.

3. Another writer stated that it is the most winsome picture of God ever drawn on earth.

4. Now, wait for this last one that will surely surprise you. Do you know what the word ‘prodigal’ means? Many of us might assume that it has some bad connotation and has to do with wayward behavior. Well, prodigal literally means ‘recklessly spendthrift’. So the parable is not so much about the wasteful lifestyle of the younger son, but about the father who recklessly poured out all of his love on his undeserving son.

Alright! Let’s now dive into the parable.

CONTEXT

¹¹ Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. ¹² And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood.

Luke 15:11-12

Even though Jesus’ opening statement sounds casual, in reality it is a pretty grave situation. Mr. Bailley who is an expert on Middle Eastern culture writes in his book that most Middle Eastern villagers would say that generally a son wouldn’t ask his father for his inheritance. It was rude and outlandish to make such a demand. Inheritance normally passed on only at the death of the father. In effect, when a son asked for his share of the inheritance he was stating that he wished his father dead so that he could have his money! What an insult! A typical father would beat up the son who dared to make such an insensitive demand!

Imagine this father’s plight!

His younger son literally called him a barrier to his plans for a new life! Now, he had to sell his assets to give his son his share of the inheritance. In those days, there was no loose cash lying around. All the wealth was tied up in immovable properties. He had to sell his land which meant that the whole village would come to know of the ordeal. His family would become the laughing stock of the village! What humiliation and agony! Meanwhile, the boy didn’t seem even slightly remorseful about the whole matter. He grabbed the money and set off!

The father could have refused to give into the son’s demands and punished him for even entertaining such a thought! He could have forced him to stay. But this father does nothing of that sort because true love never controls or compels another to love them back. True love lets go.

DASHING AWAY

¹³ And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.

Luke 15:13

Without a second glance or thought, the younger son gathered all the money and galloped away to a distant country. He willingly and deliberately walked away from every discipline, upbringing, value and the fear of God that he was brought up in. Off he went and splurged his money in a wild lifestyle. Very soon he was broke. To make matters worse for him, recession hit the country! Jobs and food became scarce.

HANGING OUT AT THE STY

¹⁴ But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. ¹⁵ Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. ¹⁶ And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.

Luke 15:14-16

Somehow our hero managed to find a job with a citizen of the country. This citizen must have been a wealthy man. Sadly, the only job that was offered to the down-on-his-luck boy was taking care of the pigs.

Now as far as a Jew was concerned, there was nothing more deplorable than being associated with pigs. But so miserable was this boy’s financial situation that he took up the job! But even there, he didn’t have it easy. His masters wouldn’t even let him eat the pods that the swine ate!

SENSE DAWNS

¹⁷ “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! ¹⁸ I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, ¹⁹ and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’

Luke 15:17-19

A hungry belly and an empty wallet knocked him back to his senses! He recognized his dire condition and realized that his father’s servants were treated better than he was. Slowly he made up his mind to return to his father and beg for forgiveness. Of course, he had burned all bridges when he left home. Nevertheless he decided to give it a try.

THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL

²⁰ “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. ²¹ And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. ²³ And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; ²⁴ for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

Luke 15:20-21

One day, the father looked out and saw a wonderful sight! There in the distance was his beloved younger son slowly trudging home. Compassion for this child of his overwhelmed him. He ran all the way, took the young lad in his arms and kissed him. Even before his son had a chance to explain himself, the father embraced him and welcomed him.

The grace of God received the boy. The love of God took him in.

The son began to apologize to his father and admitted that he had no right to even be considered as his son.

He didn’t get ahead with his carefully rehearsed speech! The father stopped him short.

BRING ON THE PARTY!

²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. ²³ And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; ²⁴ for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

Luke 15:22-24

The father called out to his servants to bring the best robe, a ring and sandals for his darling son. He ordered a feast with the fattened calf and the party music to be turned on. His son was home and he wanted to celebrate it!

Wow! Astonishing, isn’t it? Let me decode that for you.

The father was responding to his son’s confession through those few statements.

Best robe – The best robe generally belonged to the most honored person in the house. In this case it belonged to the father. He was telling his son that ‘You say that you have sinned against me. But when you are bathed and cleaned this robe will cover you’. It symbolizes the cleansing of our sins by the Father God. He not only cleanses us but also covers us with His cloak of righteousness.

Ring – A ring is a sign of authority. When he wore the ring it would imply that he is the son of the house and that he could transact business. We have the stamp of approval as God’s sons and daughters on our lives when we become His children.

Sandals – Servants generally didn’t wear sandals. Only family members would wear them. Here the father wanted his son to know that he would never be a servant. He was the son of the family and he would wear sandals. God has called us not to be servants but to be his sons.

PITY PARTY

²⁵ “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. ²⁷ And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’

²⁸ “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. ³⁰ But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’

³¹ “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. ³² It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’”

Luke 15:25-32

Meanwhile the older son came home and saw a full-fledged party going on. Bewildered, he enquired what was happening. On hearing what had happened, he becomes enraged.

He somehow believed that his ‘goodness’ of meekly staying by his father had earned him a standing and favor in front of his father. Now, he seethed with anger at seeing his insolent brother return home and be welcomed so graciously.

What a pitiful picture it paints. The mask was quickly coming off his face. With one statement, his carefully constructed image was stripped and we see a man who was uncharitable unkind, proud and self-righteous.

Somewhere along the way, the elder brother had misunderstood his father’s love for him.

EARNING & LOSING GOD’S LOVE?

The elder son had assumed that he earned his father’s love by his ‘good behavior’.

The younger son thought that he’d lost his father’s love by his ‘wasteful behavior’.

But the father loved them both irrespective of what they did or didn’t do. He loved them from the very beginning, even before he gave them his wealth.

Our God loves us too similarly. He loved us even before the foundations of the world were established. He loves us even when we walk away from Him. He loves us when we walk with Him. He will love us till the end of age. Because of His love for us, He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). In gratitude, we obediently follow His Commandments.

CONCLUSION

Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.² And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” ³ So He spoke this parable to them

Luke 15:1-2

Jesus’ audience included the sinful tax collectors and the self righteous Pharisees. He looked at them and said:-

1. Those who are lost can be forgiven

2. Those who think they are not lost are perhaps lost

3. No matter who you are (the sinner or the Pharisee) God loves you both

No matter what our past is or how far we have strayed, God loves us. We can always come back. We will be welcomed with open and loving arms.

Encouragement for Today

No More Guilt-Induced Doubt
RENEE SWOPE

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)

The retreat was just a few weeks away and my message outlines were due, but not quite ready. Knowing the stress I felt, my mom invited me to work at her house that Saturday since she’d be gone all day.

Studying and preparing with no kids or interruptions sounded like perfection to me!

Mom said she’d be running errands until 5 p.m. She’d already planned to watch our boys that evening so my husband, JJ, and I could attend a surprise birthday party. He could meet me at Mom’s house, and we’d leave from there.

A quiet house was just what I needed to get into my “zone” of focused study. I was making great progress, and kept thinking how perfect the setting was … until my mom came home … two hours early.

Not only was she early, she was noisy! Displaying her new landscape treasures, she unloaded several cement pavers on the floor in the kitchen, where I was working. Then she walked back out to her car and returned with grocery bags that she plopped down on the kitchen table, next to my stuff.

Normally this would have been fine. It was her house and I was grateful to be there, but not today. I wasn’t done, and I was terrified I’d never get back into my “zone” again.

It didn’t matter though. My time was up, and unfortunately that was only the beginning of my terribly horrible, very bad day.

As I started to put my papers away, I knocked over a water bottle, which spilled onto my laptop! You can imagine the mayhem. Finally after mopping up my mess, and laying hands on my laptop while praying for protection over my files, I decided to get ready early for the party.

From 5 p.m. on, I waited for my husband to arrive. But he didn’t arrive … not at 5 or 5:30. The party was 20 minutes away, and I knew it could ruin the surprise if we were late. But he wasn’t answering his cell phone either, so I didn’t know whether to be irritated or worried.

I decided to borrow my mom’s car and meet JJ there. But, just as I was pulling out of the driveway, he pulled up.

Surprisingly, he didn’t look a bit hurried. And to make matters worse, my 6-year-old son got out of the car first, walked over to me and said, “Daddy told us you would be mad.”

That was an understatement! But also confirmation we still needed to drive separately to the party. Because my perfect day was about to turn into the perfect storm!

Confused that I was still driving out of the driveway, JJ waved for me to stop and asked, “Aren’t you going to wait for me?”

“No,” I snapped. “Because you’re acting like a [beep].”

Just about that time, my 8-year-old son walked up and said, “Mommy! You just called Daddy a [beep].”

It was a mess. I was a mess. And I was convinced God wondered why He ever thought it was a good idea to have me speak at my church’s retreat.

Guilt crashed over me in waves of accusation and condemnation: I’m not cut out for this. I’m not godly enough. I have no business teaching a message I can’t even live.

We ended up going to the party together, with fake “everything is fine” smiles. But the next morning at church, I went straight to our women’s ministry director to confess what happened and step down from speaking at our retreat.

Her response shocked me: “Renee, if you don’t need this message as much as the women attending, then you are not qualified to teach it. But because you need it as much as we do, you are. You’ve been appointed and you are anointed to do this.”

I had never experienced such a demonstration of God’s grace. Her words reminded me of today’s key verse and showed me what it looks like to “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

I ended up speaking at the retreat, and although I feared some women might judge me, I shared what had happened that weekend. Instead of judgment, they offered acceptance, love and a sense of relief knowing they aren’t the only ones who blow it occasionally.

Isn’t it hard to believe God could use us when we mess up? Yet the Bible is filled with stories of men and women He used greatly — despite their downfalls.

Although guilt from the enemy tempts us to give up on ourselves, grace reminds us God never will. Instead, He can take what feels like destruction and use it for reconstruction through our dependence on Him.

When we confess our wrong thoughts, words and actions and receive God’s forgiveness, we can replace guilt-induced doubt with His grace-infused confidence.

Lord, I come to You today to receive Your mercy and find Your grace to help me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (NKJV)

RELATED RESOURCES:
If Renee Swope’s devotion resonated with you today, you’ll love her A Confident Heart book and A Confident Heart Devotional: 60 Days to Stop Doubting Yourself.

Discover “3 Ways to Replace Guilt-induced Doubt with Grace-infused Confidence” on Renee’s blog today and enter to WIN A Confident Heart Devotional by Renee Swope, plus a set of Scripture Promises Cards! Enter to win here.

REFLECT AND RESPOND:
Jesus lived and died to save us from our sins and downfalls. Receive His forgiveness today and ask Him to replace your guilt-induced doubt with His grace-infused confidence. Find out more here.

© 2015 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
630 Team Rd., Suite 100
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org

LOVE, THE FOUNDATION FOR VICTORIOUS LIVING by SAM P CHELLADURAI

LOVE

THE FOUNDATION FOR VICTORIOUS LIVING

But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious,
Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.

Psalm 86:15 (New King James Version)

But you, O God, are both tender and kind,
    not easily angered, immense in love,
    and you never, never quit.

Psalm 86:15 (The Message)

Last week, we spoke about God’s love that was revealed in His Commandments. Today, let’s look at another marvelous attribute of God’s love; the love that never ever quits!

HATES THE SIN YET LOVES THE SINNER

The devil has been up to his slimy game since before Creation. He landed in the peaceful Garden of Even and planted the first seed of doubt of God’s love in Eve’s heart. He has been at that game ever since. The crafty fellow wants us to buy the twisted idea that God loves us when we please Him and hates us when we mess up. Sadly, many people including Christians fall for this lie over and over again. But the truth is that God has loved us from eternity past and will continue to do so forever. His love never changes.

We looked at this truth in detail in the past when we learned that God hates sin but has mercy and loving kindness towards the sinner.

Let’s race through some quick examples in this regard.

1. ADAM AND EVE

God blessed Adam and Eve abundantly. Yet they disobeyed His single command to them. Sin implied punishment which was separation from God and being cast out of the Garden of Eden. But God’s compassionate heart brimmed over. He made a new set of clothing for them, covered their nakedness and restored some amount of dignity to them.

2. NOAH

God destroyed the sinful world in a flood and saved Noah and his family alone. Noah’s seed was to be God’s righteous seed on the earth. But some days later, Noah had drunk himself into a stupor and lay naked in front of his family. Even though he shamed God, God was gracious and compassionate towards him.

3. ABRAHAM

God called Abraham to leave everything and everyone except his family behind, and follow Him. But Abraham let his nephew Lot tag along. What a heap of trouble that led to! Then God instructed Abraham to go to a land that He would show him but because of a famine there, Abraham fled to Egypt. There he lied to the king of the land that his wife was actually his sister! Boy! Another mess that God graciously intervened and got him out of! Finally God established him and promised him a son. But when he didn’t see things come to pass he listened to his wife Sarah’s advice and had a child with another woman. The ever gracious God forgave Abraham and gave him the promised son, Isaac. Not only did God give him his own promised son, He also blessed the illegitimate child Ishmael and his mother too!

4. MOSES

Moses murdered an Egyptian and went into hiding. Many years later He returned as Israel’s savior. However, in the wilderness, He disobeyed God by striking a rock for water when God had instructed him to speak to it. As a result Moses was not permitted to enter the Promised Land. Yet, he is counted among the one who communed with Jesus and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration several centuries later. The gracious Lord honored Moses!

5. DAVID

David slept with a married woman and got her husband killed in war. Later, when Prophet Nathan pointed out his sin David repented before God and pled with Him to not take the Holy Spirit away from him. He sought a renewed spirit and a clean and joyful heart. God graciously forgave him. Even though he had to bear the consequences of his sin, David lived a long life and was even called ‘a man after God’s own heart’.

6. JONAH

Even though he rebelled and ran away from God’s call, Jonah was given a second chance. When the fish spit him out on to Nineveh, Jonah readily obeyed God’s call.

7. PETER

At Jesus’ trial, Peter denied knowing Him. Thrice! But a couple of days later, the risen Christ affirmed Peter and sent him out into ministry.

All these men’s lives reflect God’s grace and mercy despite their sinfulness. His love compels Him to extend such love.

Now, let’s look at another man through whom God demonstrated His unchanging and compelling love. In order to understand this remarkable tale of love, let us backtrack a wee bit.

COVENANT RELATIONSHIP

God entered into a Covenant relationship with man. A Covenant was no trivial deal. It meant that the parties were bound to keep it to the T or else they would be considered cursed. In Exodus, God called Moses aside and handed him the Ten Commandments which were to be part of the Covenant. The Israelites agreed to obey them. Then when Joshua led them into the Promised Land, he reminded them about the Ten Commandments. The Israelites enthusiastically agreed to follow them. Finally, before his death Joshua exhorted the people again to follow the Commandments, which they heartily committed to.

A few years went by.

One party broke the Covenant. Guess who? The people of Israel.

Lying, stealing, oppression, perversion, injustice and prostitution abounded in the land. Right from the common man to the priest, everybody was involved.

A TALE OF LOVE

It was at this time in history (around 8^th century B.C) that God sent Prophet Hosea with a message. He wanted to proclaim to His people through Hosea that even though they had been unfaithful to Him, He would continue to be loyal to them. His love for them was ‘hesed’ meaning ‘steadfast, enduring and unchanging love’. God says in Lamentations 3:22-24 ‘Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. ²³ They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. ²⁴ “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!”’

So, God asked Hosea to marry a prostitute!!

If that wasn’t stunning enough then God asked him to continue loving his ‘unfaithful and disloyal’ wife! Hosea’s wife would continue to remain unfaithful to him even while she was married to him!

There is nothing more hurtful in a marriage than having a spouse commit adultery.

The worst is yet to come.

Soon afterwards, Mrs. Hosea ended up in a slave market waiting to be sold!

But you know what happens? Hosea goes to the market and buys her back. He brought her home and loved her with all his heart.

Even as his life is played out, Hosea alternates between two voices of God – one that condemns people’s sins and announces judgement on them and the other that compassionately loves His people.

ANALYZING GOD’S LOVE

Let’s now analyze this attitude of God’s compassionate love. It’s beautifully described in Hosea chapter 11.

1. GOD’S LOVE IS A GREAT COMMITMENT

Marriage vows typically conclude with the phrase ‘Till death do us part’. Sadly, nowadays marriages don’t last till death. Divorce and separations are on the boom. A British poet humorously described this trend in a simple poem as:-

She said she loved me for eternity but managed to reduce it to eight months for good behavior.

She said we fitted like a hand in a glove but because of the hot weather now she took the glove off and got rid off me.

She said the future was ours but the house was made out in her name

She said I was the only one who understood her completely and then she left me saying that I would understand her completely.

Marriage relationship shows us that we are made in the image and likeness of God. God instituted marriage with the desire for us to experience and reflect His enduring love.

God’s loves us faithfully like a husband, father and a shepherd.

1. A Husband’s love

Hosea 11:4 says, ‘I drew them with gentle cords with bands of love, and I was to them as those who take the yoke from their neck. I stooped and fed them’. God loved His people like a husband. He wooed them with words and actions and drew them to Him.

2. A Father’s love

He also loves us like a father. Hosea 11:1,3 says, ‘“When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son. “I taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by their arms; but they did not know that I healed them’. God loved the Israelites like a father would tenderly love his children. He anticipated their fears, feelings, apprehensions and loved them all the way.

3. A Shepherd’s love

In Hosea 11:4, God says, ‘I stooped and fed them’. Like a Shepherd, God loves His people and ensures that they have no want.

2. THE PEOPLE’S DISREGARD FOR GOD’S LOVE

Hosea 11:2 says, ‘As they called them, so they went from them; they sacrificed to the Baals, and burned incense to carved images’. The people forgot the wonderful miracles that God had done for them when He delivered them out of Egypt. They backslid and went astray.

3. GOD’S COMPASSION IN THE MIDST OF THEIR DISREGARD

God’s heart aches to see His people disregard His love for them. In fact, Jesus wept over Jerusalem in the New Testament crying out, ‘Oh Jerusalem! You who killed her prophets and stoned God’s men! How many times I have tried to gather you like a hen would gather its chicks under her wings. But you would not.’ We see this broken heart in Hosea 11:8, 9 where God says, ‘“How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel?
How can I make you like Admah? How can I set you like Zeboiim? My heart churns within Me; My sympathy is stirred.⁹ I will not execute the fierceness of My anger; I will not again destroy Ephraim. For I am God, and not man, The Holy One in your midst; And I will not come with terror’. God says that His heart stirs with sympathy for His people. So even though they deserved punishment, He was gracious to them.

4. RESOLUTION

The name ‘Hosea’ means ‘Salvation’. Variations of the name Hosea were given to two other men too. Joshua and Jesus. They were all called to be saviors of a people lost to slavery. Hosea paid money and bought his wife back from slavery. Jesus gave His life and bought us from the slavery of sin. Today He loves us as if we have done no wrong and treats us with dignity and honor.

CONCLUSION

Mercy and truth have met together;
Righteousness and peace have kissed.
¹¹ Truth shall spring out of the earth,
And righteousness shall look down from heaven.

Psalm 85:10-11

On the Cross of Calvary God poured out His wrath on our sin.

That was the truth.

But He sent his Son Jesus to take our place.

That was mercy.

Mercy and truth met at the Cross. Righteousness and peace kissed. Man and God were reconciled. This is the amazing love of God!

THE LOVE OF GOD – REVELATION OF GOD’S LOVE by SAM P CHELLADURAI

THE LOVE OF GOD

REVELATION OF GOD’S LOVE

² And he said: “The Lord came from Sinai, and dawned on them from Seir;
He shone forth from Mount Paran, and He came with ten thousands of saints; from His right hand came a fiery law for them. ³ Yes, He loves the people; all His saints are in Your hand; they sit down at Your feet; everyone receives Your words. – Deuteronomy 33:2-3

Last week we looked at God’s everlasting love that does not abandon us. Today, let us reflect on another interesting manifestation of this love – the commandments of God.

LAWS

A world renowned person once said that he wanted nothing to do with Christianity. He wanted to keep his wild life and so came up with a bunch of ‘voluntary rules’ that enabled him to do that. The world is looking for easy laws to follow that does not really ‘tie them down or bother them’.

Well, I think somewhere along the way we have lost the real perspective on laws. Imagine we are hurrying for work and we come to a traffic signal. There seems to be no other vehicle in sight and we wonder why we have to stop at the red light. There is neither a hidden camera nor a police cruiser around, so we step on the gas and zoom off. Suppose we come by on another day to the same signal and just as we slow down, we see a bus flying past us. If we hadn’t stopped at the signal then we would have been run over by that bus! It would probably dawn on us in that moment that the red light, that is, THE LAW actually was meaningful (and lifesaving too)!

Having established a primary case for the importance of law, let’s now look at the famous laws that God has provided us.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS – THE GRAND ENTRY

Laws can be categorized into two – one that involves paying a fine and being let off and the other that is fiery. It means that if we err we will be punished definitely. God’s Ten Commandments are fiery laws that are meant to be obeyed. We can’t ignore or disregard them at all.

The Ten Commandments are the invaluable stop signs placed at prime intersections of our lives.

Before we study them in detail, let’s backtrack to their grand entrance.

The Israelites had just been delivered out of years of slavery. They were headed now to the Promised Land. God provided them with daily provision and protection. In return, all they did was grumble and murmur. They didn’t do a single thing in order to be eligible for His continued favor. However, God blessed them because He had made a Covenant with them. On Mount Sinai, He carved His love for them with His fingers on the stone and wrote out the 10 Commandments. All that He asked of them was that they follow these instructions that would aid them in their journey.

It’s like sending our 18 year old child to college. The loving parent heart wouldn’t want him or her to get into trouble. So we will arm them with tons of instructions and advice. Those aren’t meant to be a bother. We love our child and only want the best for him or her.

The Ten Commandments are an expression of God’s love toward us. Charles Spurgeon said, ‘The Ten Commandments are God’s great kindness to the son of men. For it tells us of the wisest and happiest way of living. It forbids nothing but what would be to our injury and it withholds from us nothing that would be a real pleasure to us. God doesn’t make laws denying us anything that would be for our good. We ought to see the love of God in the gift of the law of God’.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS – THE GREAT PURPOSE

We have already cleared the air about the fact that law is not meaningless. Let’s see some examples in this regard.

1. Psalm 1:2 says, ‘But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither;
   and whatever he does shall prosper.

2. Psalm 19: 9, 10 say ‘The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. ¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb’.

The Psalmist seems to indicate that God’s Word or His judgments are sweet and desirable. Essentially, the commandments and laws of God enabled people to lead a better life. Now, they were not able to fulfill the laws completely in the Old Testament. Hence when Jesus came, He not only fulfilled the letter of the law but also the spirit of the law. For example – He taught that getting angry with another amounted to murder or looking at a woman lustfully resulted in adultery.

God’s Word admonishes us to fear Him and keep His Commandments. When we do that, God blesses us. We don’t have to worry that we won’t be able to fulfill the law. Jesus has fulfilled the law and has given us the power to live by it.

Let’s now quickly run through the 10 Commandments.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS – DECODED

1. WHO TO WORSHIP

² “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. ³ “You shall have no other gods before Me.

Exodus 20:2-3

Most people are annoyed at the idea of exclusively worshipping God. But then you see them single mindedly pouring out all their heart and mind on their houses, cars, jobs etc. Hypocritical, wouldn’t you think? You see, worship is the thing or person that has the number one position in our lives.

God says that when He is the first and most important person in our lives then He will bless us. It’s like getting married. We take a spouse and promise to love, cherish and protect them at all times till death parts us. Suppose one of the spouses suggests modifying the vow to state that they could have an open relationship. Reckon that will go well? Not likely. The wedding in all likelihood would be called off! Now, if we insist on exclusivity in a marriage relationship, then how much deeper would it be in God’s love? He claims an exclusive relationship with us because His love is true and loyal.

2. HOW TO WORSHIP

⁴ “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;⁵ you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, ⁶ but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Exodus 20:4-5

God commanded that we don’t make any carved image to worship. Here are some reasons as to why He said so.

1. An image is limited but God is not.

2. An image is local but God is universal.

3. The gods we make are temporal and can be broken. They can get old and lose their luster. Our God is eternal!

4. An image is material. God is spiritual.

An image is a poor and distorted replica of the living God. That is why He never invites us to gaze upon Him, but asks us to listen to His voice.

Then the wood-carver measures a block of wood
    and draws a pattern on it.
He works with chisel and plane
    and carves it into a human figure.
He gives it human beauty
    and puts it in a little shrine.
¹⁴ He cuts down cedars;
    he selects the cypress and the oak;
he plants the pine in the forest
    to be nourished by the rain.
¹⁵ Then he uses part of the wood to make a fire.
    With it he warms himself and bakes his bread.
Then—yes, it’s true—he takes the rest of it
    and makes himself a god to worship!
He makes an idol
    and bows down in front of it!
¹⁶ He burns part of the tree to roast his meat
    and to keep himself warm.
    He says, “Ah, that fire feels good.”
¹⁷ Then he takes what’s left
    and makes his god: a carved idol!
He falls down in front of it,
    worshiping and praying to it.
“Rescue me!” he says.
    “You are my god!”

¹⁸ Such stupidity and ignorance!
    Their eyes are closed, and they cannot see.
    Their minds are shut, and they cannot think.
¹⁹ The person who made the idol never stops to reflect,
    “Why, it’s just a block of wood!
I burned half of it for heat
    and used it to bake my bread and roast my meat.
How can the rest of it be a god?
    Should I bow down to worship a piece of wood?”
²⁰ The poor, deluded fool feeds on ashes.
    He trusts something that can’t help him at all.
Yet he cannot bring himself to ask,
    “Is this idol that I’m holding in my hand a lie?”

Isaiah 44:13-20 (New Living Translation)

Isaiah tackles at length the ridiculous idea of making gods and images. Our God is living and He hears and speaks. What’s the point of speaking to an image that is deaf and dumb?

Further, this commandment also comes with a punishment. We are cautioned not to teach our children the lie that an image can listen to them or help them. We are instructed to leave behind a positive legacy and teach them about the true and living God.

3. USING GOD’S NAME IN VAIN

When we toss around God’s name cheaply we will soon lose all respect for Him. Then the fear and reverence of God, which is the beginning of wisdom, would be absent from our lives. Lack of wisdom guarantees failure and misery. And because God wants us to succeed, He asks us not to take His name in vain. For e.g – One might say that ‘In the name of the Lord I will return the money’. In that instance, we are relegating God’s name as collateral for our dues!

4. KEEPING THE SABBATH HOLY

The Pharisees had a long list of about 1,521 laws to be followed on Sabbath. One couldn’t pluck hairs, look at a mirror, save a drowning man so on and so forth on the Sabbath! All because God had said that it is a day to be kept holy! Well, they clearly missed God’s point. Sabbath is a day of rest where we remember that we have been saved from our sins by the finished work of Jesus on the Cross. It is a day to remember that we don’t have to labor. But we are called to live in the Resurrection Power of the Cross every day.

5. HONORING PARENTS

God accords great significance to the relationship between the parent and the child. On the Cross, Jesus pointed his mother Mary to his disciple John indicating that he was to look after her as his mother henceforth. Paul in Romans 1:30 lists disobedience to parents as a sin of depraved people. Again in Ephesians, Paul highlights the importance of children honoring their parents. Respecting and honoring older parents imply that we respect God. It also implies that we are blessed by our obedience.

A story is told about a family of four – the grandfather, father, mother and a little boy. The grandfather was very old and had begun losing his co-ordination and skills. He couldn’t eat his meals without dripping and messing the table. Indignant, the mother seated him in the kitchen and gave him a wooden bowl to eat out of so that he wouldn’t break his dish or mess the dining table. The old man obeyed silently with tears in his eyes. The little boy sat by observing all this. One day his parents saw him gathering wooden sticks. When they enquired, the boy said, ‘When I grow up, you will become old and live with me. I am picking up wooden pieces to make a nice bowl for you to eat your meals out of; something like the one Grandpa eats out of now’. The same day, the mother repented and brought the old man back to the dining table!

6. DO NOT KILL

Man has been made in the image and likeness of God. When we murder a man, we are striking God. That’s why we protect a life right from conception till the time God takes it back

7. DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY

Marriage is to be honored and respected. When a spouse cheats on the other and engages in an extra martial relationship, it shakes the foundation of their relationship. Sexuality is a gift from God that is meant to be used beautifully within marriage. Anything apart from that leads to enslavement and produces grief and sorrow.

8. DO NOT STEAL

God has given us the ability to work hard and earn well. When someone steals from us, he disrespects our skills and the God who has blessed us. Stealing is contempt of others and of God. We become distrustful and feel violated.

9. DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS

Our God is a God of truth. When we lie, we allow the power of darkness to come into our lives.

10. DO NOT COVET

God commands us not to covet anything that belongs to someone else. It has a destructive power and will only end up eating our lives.

CONCLUSION

In the light of the above, we can safely trust that the Ten Commandments or laws are sure proof of God’s love for us.

Revelation of GOD’s Love —By SAM P CHELLADURAI

LOVE

REVELATION OF GOD’S LOVE

 

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. ⁹ In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. ¹⁰ In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:8-10

 

Last week, we started learning about the revelation of God’s love. We saw that God’s love is eternal. His love for us was designed, executed and applied through the Redemption Covenant made by the Trinity.

 

Today, let’s look at another important aspect of this great love of God towards us.

 

FORSAKEN

 

God’s love does not forsake!

 

That statement could give rise to an interesting question. If God really cared then why did Jesus have to hang on the Cross and agonizingly ask His Father, ‘My God, my God, why have thou forsaken me?’ How can we make sense of a God who allowed His Only Son to die in such a cruel manner?

 

Let us unpack this heavily loaded question bit by bit.

 

Every day we come across forsaken lives. Parents abandoning their responsibility, husbands leaving their wives destitute, children shunning their old parents – the world is full of pitiful stories of being forsaken. The abandoned victims often suffer without money, clothing and shelter, along with heart wrenching pain. Forsaking is becoming a regular feature of human lives because of the sin of selfishness. This sin consumes and overpowers them and forces them to behave irrationally.

 

FIGHT IT OUT

 

Paul was one of the greatest New Testament preachers. He traveled and trained people all over. So many people came to know Jesus as the Living God through Paul’s ministry. At the fag end of his life, Paul writes in 2^nd Timothy that ‘I have fought the good fight, I have run the race, and a crown is laid up for me’. Paul uses two analogies to describe his life – Fighting and Racing.

 

There were a lot of hindrances and problems but in order to accomplish what God had called Him to do, He needed to stay put in the battlefield. It wasn’t easy and he was often tempted to let go but he kept fighting. If we want to have a fruitful and productive life, then we need to hang on and keep fighting. Paul called it the good fight because he won.

 

Similarly, Paul refers to his life also as a race. He doesn’t term it a hundred meter dash. It’s a long marathon that can sometimes extend up to several years. We may feel like buckling under the pressure of running. There’s too much pain and sweat. But a good runner knows that the race will end. We can make it to the finishing line and will get much energy to finish the race successfully.

 

After making the above statement, Paul writes about the people who left him. Such a great leader and preacher forsaken and left alone! This world is selfish and mean. True, pure and unadulterated love is impossible to come by. But Paul hastens to add immediately that the Lord was with him so that he could complete his calling. He was not alone. The Only One who really mattered remained with him.

 

THE BETRAYAL OF JESUS

 

Let’s look at another person who was betrayed and abandoned. When the hour of Jesus’ arrest and death drew close, He was in agony. Accompanied by His sleepy bunch of disciples, Jesus arrived at Gethsemane. He asked them to stay awake and pray with him. Thrice he returned from His prayer and found the sleepyheads happily snoring away!

 

Soon after that, Judas Iscariot the traitor came with armed soldiers to capture Jesus. Sure enough, his disciples flung into action. They ran for their lives!

Jesus’ close associates who literally hung out with him day in and out fled with their tails tucked behind them.

 

To make matters worse, a little while later, Peter (Jesus’ loudest and most impulsive follower) denied even knowing Jesus. Meanwhile, Pontius Pilate, the judge found Jesus innocent but succumbed to public pressure and handed Him over to be crucified!

 

Injustice prevailed.

 

Jesus was forsaken by His friends and by His government.

 

A POIGNANT SILENCE

 

Now when the 6^th hour had come there was darkness over the whole land until the 9^th hour and at the 9^th hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice saying “eloi, eloi lama sabacthani’” which is translated as ‘My God, My God why have you forsaken me?’……Some of those when he stood by said, look he is calling for Elijah and someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed and offered it to him to drink saying let him alone, let us see if Elijah will come to take him down. Jesus cried out with a loud voice and breathed his last. Then the veil of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.

 

Mark 15:33-38

 

It was at the point where He was nailed to the Cross that Jesus cried out to His Father saying, My God! My God! why have you forsaken me?’

 

Heaven remained silent!

 

Doesn’t that sound excruciatingly painful? It was a deep cry that arose from a forsaken heart.

 

********************

 

Let’s pause there and get a grasp on the scene unfolding before us. In order to understand this better, let’s head to the Epistle of Galatians which describes the Redemption on the Cross.

 

¹⁰ For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” ¹¹ But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” ¹² Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”

¹³ Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), ¹⁴ that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Galatians 3:10-14

• THE SIN BEARER

 

The Bible says that the Law is meant to be followed to the T. This passage says that there is no person who hasn’t failed the Law. The Law is a pointer to our sins and enables us to recognize that we are helpless and need to turn to Jesus for our Salvation.

 

God hates sin and He wanted to put an end to our sinful state. In order to do that God sent His Son to the earth. He lived a perfect and sinless life. God took all the sin, punishment and curse of mankind and flung it on Jesus. The Old Testament in Deuteronomy 28 describes the curses on the nation of Israel if they lead unrighteous lives. Some of the curses could literally destroy one’s life to smithereens! Imagine that! The sinless Son of God steeped in the curse of this world! The sin bearer became a substitute to atone for our wretchedness!

 

• A PRIESTLY BLESSING

 

The Bible also describes God’s blessings. In the book of Numbers, He blessed the Israelites in a prophetic manner. Numbers 6: 23-26 say, ‘‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: ²⁴ “The Lord bless you and keep you; ²⁵ The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; ²⁶ The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”’

So essentially, a man is blessed when –

1. God turns His face towards a man and lets His face shine upon Him and is gracious to Him.
2. God lifts His countenance upon us and gives us His peace, protection, favor and blessings.

 

• THE CURSE BECAME THE BLESSING

 

The opposite of this blessing of God is a curse – to have God turn His face away from us. When Jesus hung on the Cross, God who couldn’t bear to look at sin had to turn His face away from His beloved Son.

 

Let’s compare this scene to the Old Testament practice of sacrifice that God had instituted. On the Day of Atonement, two lambs would be brought before the Priest. One was killed and the shed blood was proof that the sin of the people had been punished. The second animal was the scapegoat. The priest would confess the sins of the people and lay it on this lamb symbolically. Then this animal was driven out into the wilderness to die and never return. Hanging on the Cross, Jesus represented both the animals at the same time. He was taken outside Jerusalem’s walls and crucified there. He became a castaway bearing our sins. It was at that moment that the Father turned His face away from His blessed Son.

 

• IT IS FINISHED

 

The Apostles Creed says that Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried, descended into hell (Jesus experienced hell on the cross!) God the Father allowed His Son to experience suffering even to the point of hell because of His great love for us. This great love that was planned in eternity past by the Trinity! So when Jesus came to the earth and died on the Cross, He didn’t feel betrayed by His Father. He came to die!

 

This was not an unannounced truth. Hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth, God prophesied through Prophet Isaiah about this unique love that He would show man.

 

Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. ⁵ But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. ⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

⁷ He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. ⁸ He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. ⁹ And they made His grave with the wicked— But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth.

¹⁰ Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.

 

Isaiah 53:4-10

 

Verse 10 reads that it ‘pleased God to bruise Him’. It was no sadistic pleasure. It pleased God because though that His beloved people would be able to experience redemption. It pleased the Father that the Son beautifully went ahead with the Redemptive plan. God was pleased not in the pain that Jesus endured but in the redemption He provided!

 

CONCLUSION

 

The Father and the Son were in complete harmony. Jesus’ last words reflected this unity. He said, ‘It is finished. Now into your hands I commit my Spirit’. The Father and Son’s Redemption Plan had been beautifully accomplished. Further, when the soldiers came to see if Jesus and the thieves were dead, they found that Jesus had already died. He didn’t die by their spear but by His own voluntary giving up of His life. Not only that, Jesus was given a glorious burial. A criminal’s body is generally dumped in the garbage bin and burnt. But God sent a rich man called Joseph of Arimathea to bury His Son’s body in a tomb!

 

God didn’t forsake His obedient and beloved Son. Three days later, He raised Jesus back from death, lifted Him from the dominion of every power, principality so that every knee shall bow and tongue confess that Jesus is the Lord.

 

What a loving God we have and are privileged to serve! He loved us enough to plan and give His Only Son to die for our sins. We are not an afterthought! He continues to love us and His love never forsakes us. We can put our trust in Him and never be put to shame!

 

COME TO Apostolic Fellowship Tabernacle CHENNAI or visit http://www.revsam.org and be blessed

MAN THE DWELLING PLACE OF GOD.

Tozer in the Morning
Man – The Dwelling Place of God – How to Make Spiritual Progress

THE COMPLACENCY of CHRISTIANS is the scandal of Christianity.
Time is short, and eternity is long. The end of all things is at hand. Man has proved himself morally unfit to manage the world in which he has been placed by the kindness of the Almighty. He has jockeyed himself to the edge of the crater and cannot go back, and in terrible fear he is holding his breath against the awful moment when he will be plunged into the inferno.
In the meantime, a company of people exist on the earth who claim to have the answer to all life’s major questions. They claim to have found the way back to God, release from their sins, life everlasting and a sure guarantee of heaven in the world to come.
These are the Christians. They declare that Jesus Christ is very God of very God, made flesh to dwell among us. Thy insist that He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. They testify that He is to them Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption, and they steadfastly assert that He will be to them the Resurrection and the Life for eternity to come.
These Christians know, and when pressed will admit, that their finite hearts have explored but a pitifully small part of the infinite riches that are theirs in Christ Jesus. They read the lives of the great saints whose fervent desire after God carried them far up the mountain toward spiritual perfection; and for a brief moment they may yearn to be like these fiery souls whose light and fragrance still linger in the world where they once lived and labored. But the longing soon passes. The world is too much with them and the claims of their earthly lives are too insistent; so they settle back to live their ordinary lives, and accept the customary as normal. After a while they manage to achieve some kind of inner content and that is the last we hear of them.
This contentment with inadequate and imperfect progress in the life of holiness is, I repeat, a scandal in the Church of the Firstborn. The whole weight of Scripture is against such a thing. The Holy Spirit constantly seeks to arouse the complacent. “Let us go on” is the word of the Spirit. The Apostle Paul embodies this in his noble testimony as found in his Philippian epistle: “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ . . . that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection . . . but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
If we accept this as the sincere expression of a normal Christian I do not see how we can justify our own indifference toward spiritual things. But should someone feel a desire to make definite progress in the life of Christ, what can he do to get on with it? Here are a few suggestions:
1. Strive to get beyond mere pensive longing. Set your face like a flint and begin to put your life in order. Every man is as holy as he really wants to be. But the want must be all-compelling.
Tie up the loose ends of your life. Begin to tithe; institute family prayer; pay up your debts as far as possible and make some kind of frank arrangement with every creditor you cannot pay immediately; make restitution as far as you can; set aside time to pray and search the Scriptures; surrender wholly to the will of God. You will be surprised and delighted with the results.
2. Put away every un-Christian habit from you. If other Christians practice it without compunction, God may be calling you to come nearer to Him than these other Christians care to come. Remember the words, “Others may, you cannot.” Do not condemn or criticize, but seek a better way. God will honor you.
3. Get Christ Himself in the focus of your heart and keep Him there continually. Only in Christ will you find complete fulfillment. In Him you may be united to the Godhead in conscious, vital awareness. Remember that all of God is accessible to you through Christ. Cultivate His knowledge above everything else on earth.
4. Throw your heart open to the Holy Spirit and invite Him to fill you. He will do it. Let no one interpret the Scriptures for you in such a way as to rule out the Father’s gift of the Spirit. Every man is as full of the Spirit as he wants to be. Make your heart a vacuum and the Spirit will rush in to fill it.
Nowhere in the Scriptures nor in Christian biography was anyone ever filled with the Spirit who did not know that he had been, and nowhere was anyone filled who did not know when. And no one was ever filled gradually.
5. Be hard on yourself and easy on others. Carry your own cross but never lay one on the back of another. Begin to practice the presence of God. Cultivate the fellowship of the Triune God by prayer, humility, obedience and self-abnegation.
Let any Christian do these things and he will make rapid spiritual progress. There is every reason why we should all go forward in our Christian lives and no reason why we should not. Let us go on.