Thursday, August 23, 2018

Rejoice With Them That Do Rejoice; Overcome Evil With Good; If Your Enemies Thirst, Feed Them - Part 2135

"Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine; I will repay," saith the Lord, "Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:9-21)

The message continues, with Jesus saying, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?" (Matthew 7:11) In another place, Jesus says, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask Him?" (Luke 11:13)

The Spirit of holiness dwelling within. It is at this juncture that we should be desiring spiritual gifts -- the diversities of gifts that the holy Spirit of Jesus imparts severally to those who trust in Him. It is equally important to note that these Spirit gifts are given for the application of various ministries within Jesus' own body. The body of Christ [His church wherein Jesus is the Head] is the temple and habitation of the Spirit of Jesus. Not made with hands. Not building and bricks, or institutions -- as the world would have us believe. 

For those of you who are new to the gospel, there is only One body and there is only One Spirit. And the Lord would not have us ignorant when it comes to spiritual. (I Corinthians 12:2) It is the same Christ in God who achieves His purposes through them all. Each believer who is born again of God (born of water and of Spirit) becomes a living member of the temple of God. (John 3:1-21) In this new capacity, believers became functioning members into the body of Christ. They become adequately equipped of God, and as such, are now capable of exercising completely that which other members of the One body of Jesus may have need of at appropriate times (each member serving willingly each and every other member).
The scriptures state it this way: 


For to one is given by the holy Spirit of Jesus the ability to speak wisdom. To another is given by the holy Spirit of Jesus the power to express knowledge. To another is given by the same holy Spirit of Jesus, special faith. To another is given by the same holy Spirit of Jesus, the gift of healing. To another is given by the same holy Spirit of Jesus, the power to work miracles. To another is given by the same holy Spirit of Jesus, prophetic insight. To another is given by the same holy Spirit of Jesus the power to discern between true spirits and false spirits. To another is given by the same holy Spirit of Jesus, the ability to speak in languages that he never formally learned. These tongues of men and of angels, both unknown or unheard of. To another given by the same holy Spirit of Jesus is the capacity to interpret languages spoken through the gift of spiritual tongues. (I Corinthians 12:4-11)

Collectively, and individually, these gifts are the gifts of the Spirit of Jesus given for the edification of His own body (HIS TEMPLE). Jesus empowering each member and Jesus apportioning to each believer as He chooses and wills. For there is only one body. But within the body, there are many organs that work together in unity. In the same fashion, we are members of the body of Christ. We were all brought into that one body by water baptism in Jesus name and by the purifying baptism of His holy Spirit. We have all been added to the holy Spirit’s body, which is the body of the Christ. Because we are all members of Jesus' body, we all drink the same drink, and we all eat the same meat.
To this end, let there be no divisions between believers. For it is written in the prophets, as Jesus said, "And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, comes unto Me." (John 6:45)

Jesus said, "Come unto Me and I will give you rest." 

Why Jesus? Because as Jesus said, "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life! No man comes to the Father but by Me!" (John 14:6) The Spirit of life, which indwells the body of Christ, breaking the shackles and the yoke of religious bondage, permitting believers to arise and take up the ministries of the Spirit of Jesus gifted to believers. 

Stand in the offering plate. 

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