Ephesians 4:18-24 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the Life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Ever wonder why people seem to think and act in what seems to be such a silly manner nowadays? I’ve heard it said by some that they think that America has gone crazy, or that the whole world has gone crazy. Well, thank God that some can still see! Amen?
Why is it, do you think, that so many people seem to have “gone off the deep end” or “lost their minds”? Unfortunately, I think that the problem is that they have found ‘their’ minds and they have been molded and shaped by this world. What’s the problem with this? Remember that the bible tells us who “the god of this world” is? -satan.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the Image of God, should shine unto them.
What, do you suppose, is the end result when a large group of people have their minds blinded and then they all dwell together over a period of time? Remember…
1 John 2:15-17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 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. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the Will of God abideth for ever.
The “love of the world”. It will do a number on a person! So, again, why do people seem to lack so much common sense, and many even appear to be crazy? The answer to that question is simple: have placed their love and affections in the wrong place.
Colossians 3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right Hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
The real effect of the love of the world is that it replaces the natural love that people might have for one-another. Our Lord warned us that this would happen:
Mathew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
However:
Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
So, why, do you suppose, does satan want to redirect our affections? Well, first of all, where is love (or should I say where did love used to be) the strongest? Was it not among families? You know, the people who raised you? Your brothers and sisters? Cousins? Aunts and Uncles? What happens as a person’s love for this world grows? -Their love for others dwindles.
The love of this world is the opposite of the Love of God.
James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the Love of God in him?
Think about a wolf in sheep’s clothing for a moment. Wouldn’t one of their tactics be to lure the sheep away from the pack so that it can attack? Maybe even to use it as bait to take out other sheep one at a time?
2 Corinthians 2:9-11 For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
So, the natural love of many is “waxing cold”. How, exactly? By people having friendship with this world, rather than friendship with God. Just like all other things that the devil has his hand in: there is such a thing as real love, and then satan has his ‘counterfeit love’ being sold to this world from the moment that they open their eyes every day, until they fall asleep at night. he never stops feeding this world with ‘empty calories’, as it pertains to love.
1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Yes, “God is Love”! God’s love is selfless, but the love of this world is selfish. God’s love is the kind of selflessness that will cause a person to lay down their life for their friends, and to pick up their cross to follow Jesus Christ. Don’t be fooled though – there is a counterfeit for that also!
While, it is perfectly just and right to help others and to give up your earthly goods for those in need: there are those whose primary doctrine is the preaching of a carnal service toward others. The unfortunate snag is that they do this while lining the walls of their life here with trophies of earthly gain. satan has them fooled because they think that they are serving God in doing these things, but their love is the praise of others; power and prestige.
Romans 2:13-15 For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another
Matthew 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
You see, the problem with selfishness is that it stems from covertness, which is one of the many children of pride. What is selfishness? It is loving yourself more than you love others. Selfishness will cause a person to be self-entitled to whatever it is that they want because it leads them to believe that they are worthy of it. This can be things, or it can also be actions or ways.
Selfishness is what causes people to behave rudely to others, for example. A person might believe that they are smarter or otherwise ‘better’ than another person. Maybe this other person mistreated them, but they feel that they are ‘too good’ to be treated that way. Well, there is none good but one, and that is God. He deserves all power and glory – we do not!
But what does the Love of God teach us?
Titus 3:1-7 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and Love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
What is the love that God represents?
John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.
Jesus was not sent into the world to condemn the world, but He was condemned for the world’s sake. This is the Love of God…
1 Peter 2:21-25 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously: Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Let’s make this simple:
God IS Love.
God and His Word are one in the same.
Jesus was the Word of God made flesh.
Jesus also said that He is The Truth.
Truth is reality.
Common sense leads us back to reality.
This world lacks common sense.
Not only does the mind of this world not live in reality, it could be said that they are not of a “sound mind”
Whose mind is “the most sound mind in the universe?” God’s mind – The Mind of Christ!
John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and The Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.
John 1:14 And The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
John 14:6-7 Jesus saith unto him, I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him.
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy Word is Truth.
3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. – Reality
Ephesians 4:17-19 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the Life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Romans 12:1-3 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the Mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, Will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Amen!
So, have you ever thought which is it for you? Are you selfless or selfish? More importantly: how does God view your life on this subject? Well, I can tell you were you can find the answer to that question… in The Word of God.
Hebrews 4:12 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.
Ephesians 6:23-24 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
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