Overcome Evil With Good, Heaping Coals On Our Enemies Head With The Lord's Everlasting Kindness - Part 2542

"God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to His own will?" (Hebrews 2:4)

Who is the gift giver? This same Jesus the high priest -- the Word made flesh -- the Good Shepherd who  willingly laid down His life for the sheep. Jesus was God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16; John 1:10-11) He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11) Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. 

In Hebrews, we see the Godhead further explained. 

"For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things [pertaining] to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that He Himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof He ought, as for the people, so also for Himself, to offer for sins." (Hebrews 5:1-3) 

Since every high priest was ordained in the old testament side, to offer gifts and sacrifices, "wherefore [it is] of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. For if He were on earth, He should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law ..." (Hebrews 8:4-5) 

Although this might be somewhat complicated, we understand "... how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause, He is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth." (Hebrews 9:14-18) 

Thus, at the appointed time -- "this day have I begotten Thee!" -- the Holy Ghost overshadowed Mary so that she would bring forth a son. "The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing!" (Hebrews 9:8) This is why the new testament is not an add-on to the old testament but the Lord pitching the tent, becoming a mediator of the new testament -- so that we which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

To do so, He prepared for Himself a body that would be sacrificed -- for the redemption of the transgressions under the first testament. This is why we who believe can stand fast in the liberty wherewith is Christ. (Galatians 5:1)

Because we were made in His image. Our hearts created to love one another as doth the Lord God who made us, and then willingly paid the ultimate price for us on a cross. And this same Lord our God continues to offer gifts -- no longer according to the law as they did in the old, but rather according to His abundant grace. 

How amazing! In Romans, apostle Paul elaborate:

"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.

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, [being many], are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, [let us wait] on our ministering: or he that teaches, on teaching; or he that exhorts, on exhortation: he that gives, [let him do it] with simplicity; he that rules, with diligence; he that shews mercy, with cheerfulness.

[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." (Romans 12:1-15)

Do you see the pattern that is emerging? We who believe are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love one another -- as He indeed loved us. And when we do, we will receive gifts -- plural -- differing according to the grace that is given to us. In so doing, love without dissimulation. No pretence. No secret agenda. Instead, kindly affectioned one to another, in honour preferring one another -- and always serving the Lord. 

In fact, bless them which persecute you -- bless and curse not. As well, abhor that which is evil. Think soberly too, according as God hath dealt to every man (and woman) a measure of faith. 

Meditate upon these scriptures. Stand in the offering plate.