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Ephesians 4:11-16 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets,
some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of
the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the
Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness
of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and
carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in
the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth
in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ -
from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint
supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does
its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Isaiah 50:4 The Lord GOD has given Me The tongue of the learned, That
I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary. He awakens
Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear To hear as the learned.
People in this world today don’t need more religion, the world is full
of it. What we all really need is a genuine relationship with the Lord.
Communication with Him, where we speak and pray to Him and where we hear
His voice of encouragement, reproof, guidance and love; He knows perfectly,
what we need. God desires closeness to men, His creation that He created
in His image.
Adam had fellowship with God in the garden, until he fell in sin. Genesis
3:8-10 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden
in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the
presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. Then the LORD
God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” So he said, “I heard
Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I
hid myself.” Sin always separates from a holy God. But thank God
because in His love and mercy He promised redemption and restoration in
that same chapter 3 of Genesis. Jesus fulfilled that promise at the cross
of Calvary when He purchased our salvation by carrying our sins and taking
our shame and punishment. He was the sacrifice without blemish.
All mankind has fallen short, as we read in Romans 3:23 “for all have
sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. But in His love and mercy,
God offers salvation to all those who believe. (John 3:16)
For us who know the precious truth of the Word of God, it is vital that
our motives are right. Teaching the truth in love - with humility, care,
in the fear of God, with His love and with His compassion.
We need God’s help to see ourselves and others with His eyes. Sharing
the truth with love, while never compromising the Word of God, “…for
the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (2 Cor 3:5-6) When
we are anointed and allow God's love to flow through us, then we are truly
equipped. May God help us to be close to Jesus and speak the truth with
love. ra
Sharing a wonderful sermon: A
Position of Love (Youtube / Sermon by Rev. John Russell)
Additional verses to study: Genesis 3; Isaiah 57:15; Matthew 28:18-20;
John 8:32, 17:17-19; Acts 1:8, 2:37-40; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians
3;5-6; Galatians 5:16-26; Hebrew 10:14-25; 2 John 7-9