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Mid-week Manna

The Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 17: THE EFFICIENCY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
July 3, 2024

The Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 17

THE EFFICIENCY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

  1. A Divine Agency at Creation:
    The opening words of the Bible, declaring the genesis of all things beginning with the work of creation, immediately introduces to fallen mankind the presence and first works of the Holy Spirit, here called “the Spirit of God.” (All emphasis supplied).
    “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the SPIRIT OF GOD moved upon the waters.” Gen. 1: 1, 2, KJV.

The “Spirit of God” at work with the Creator at creation is one and the same as “the Spirit of God” working in His duly appointed capacities in both the Old and New Testament dispensations and in the plan of redemption.

Please read the following verses for yourselves from your own Bibles, preferably the KJV (or Authorized Version, A.V.), or the Revised Standard Version (RSV), not the NIV or other versions.
OT: Gen. 41: 38; Exo. 31:3; 35:31; Num. 24:2; 1 Sam. 10:10; 11: 6; 19: 20, 23; Job 27:3; 33: 4; NT: Matt. 3: 16; 12: 28; Rom. 8: 9, 14; 15: 19; 1 Cor. 2: 11, 14; 3: 16, 6: 11; 7: 40; 12: 3; 2 Cor. 3: 3; EPH. 4: 30; 1 Pet. 4: 14; 1 John 4:2.

Indeed! A veritable “battalion” of “It is written,” and “Thus saith the Lord” attesting to and defending the awesome truth that the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Godhead is specifically identified in these verses as “the Spirit of God,” the same in beginning of creation!

  1. The Comforter as The Spirit of Truth:
    Just before taking His last painful steps in His blood-stained path leading to Calvary to die as the Father’s divine Sacrificial Lamb of God for fallen mankind, Jesus promised His first Twelve grieving disciples:
    “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you ANOTHER COMFORTER, that He may abide with you FOREVER. Even the SPIRIT OF TRUTH; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He DWELLETH WITH YOU, and shall be IN YOU. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you [through the Spirit of Truth ].” John 14: 16, 17 (all emphasis and bracketed words supplied).

Ponder these precious thoughts in your hearts and minds, praying for fresh supplies of grace imparted alone by the Holy Spirit. To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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The Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 36:LOVE : THE FIRST ‘FRUIT’ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 9)

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
November 13, 2024

The Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 36

LOVE : THE FIRST ‘FRUIT’ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 9)

The gospel account of the youngest of the first Twelve who eternally bears the eternal distinction as “John the beloved” of Jesus, is unique among the four synoptic gospels in several aspects.

The outstanding ones are : 1) his is the most sublime presentation of the gospel, 2) dwells more fully on the LOVE of the invisible Father, as manifested “to the world, man, and angels,” in and through His “only-begotten,” both, as first, “Son of God” through whom He “created all things by Him and for Him,” and then, “Son of man,” verily God in the flesh, “the second Adam” in the “mystery of the incarnation,”
3) the coming of the Holy Spirit bearing the fulness of the Godhead” but “devoid of the personality of humanity and independent thereof,” as Christ’s only Successor and Vicegerent on earth after His ascension.

As John reveals that “the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are One” (1 John.5:7), he then writes that “God is LOVE, light, and life.” This is the love that Holy Spirit “bears fruit” in the lives of all true believers in whom He is abiding and dwelling because their “mind is the mind of Christ” (Phil. 2:5; ) and care for their “bodies as the temple of God and the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 3: 16, 17; 6:19, 20; 9:27:

Thus the love of the Father is that of the Son and the Holy Spirit. One love divine and excelling, one light of truth, and one life everlasting. We will quote portions of the “little John” epistles, highlighting this “love” and what it does.

 “Beloved, let us LOVE one another: for LOVE IS OF GOD; and everyone that loveth is BORN of God, and KNOWETH God. He that loveth NOT knoweth not God: for GOD IS LOVE. In this was manifested the love of God TOWARDS US, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might LIVE through Him. Herein is LOVE, not that we loved God, but that He LOVED US, and sent His Son to be the propitiation (atonement) for our sins. BELOVED, IF GOD SO LOVED US, WE OUGHT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER. NO MAN HATH SEEN GOD AT ANY TIME [But] IF WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER, GOD DWELLETH IN US, and HIS LOVE IS PERFECTED IN US. Hereby we know that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of HIS Holy] SPIRIT.” 1 John 4: 7-13, KJV.

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

The Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 34 – LOVE: THE FIRST ‘FRUIT’ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 7)

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
October 30, 2024

The Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 34

LOVE: THE FIRST ‘FRUIT’ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 7)

Before proceeding further on the specific “love” that is a “fruit of the Spirit,” that is, of, and emanating from Him who the Bible describes as “GOD IS LOVE” (1 John 4: 8, 16) we answer to valid inquiry of some as to what this ‘fruit’ definitively means.

Hereunder is a succinct yet comprehensive definition (bolding mine):

“Fruit. [Hebrew, generally ‘peri,’ ‘fruit’; ‘taburah’; ‘product (of soil or toil); Greek generally ‘Karpov’.’] Basically the product of trees and vines, but frequently, in figures of speech, the END RESULT of any work or activity. Thus, the PRODUCE of the land is designated ‘fruit’ (Gen. 4:3; Lev. 25:19, etc.), as is the OFFSPRING of man and beast (Gen. 30:2; Deut. 28:4; Micah 6:7; etc.). SPEECH is poetically designated ‘the fruit of his mouth’ (Prov. 18:20); WORK, ‘the fruit of her hands’ (ch 31:16); and the REWARDS of evil deeds, as the ‘fruits of one’s deeds’ (Isa. 31:10, RSV); etc.

“In the New Testament, IN ADDITION to its usual meaning, ‘fruit’ is frequently used as a figure of speech for the OUTWARD ACTIONS OF ONE’S LIFE, particularly those indicating WHETHER THE HEART IS RIGHTEOUS OR EVIL (Matt. 3:8; 7:16, 17; Luke 6: 43, 44; Phil. 1:11). Similarly, in Gal. 5:  22, 23, the CHRISTIAN GRACES are called ‘The FRUIT of the Spirit.’” -SDA Bible Dictionary Complete with Atlas, Commentary Reference Series, Vol. 8, Review & Herald Publishing Asso., 1960.

Simply put, this is the PERFECT LOVE OF THE PERFECT CREATOR AND PERFECTED REDEEMER, whose PERFECT LOVE-GIFT to totally-undeserving, fallen, sinful, carnally-minded, stubborn-hearted mortals, is His transforming love that, when received willingly, enables and empowers the sinner to OBEY, OUT OF LOVE, HIS LAW OF LOVE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Thus Jesus declares to all penitent sinners: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15. It is the love of the Father IN Christ imparted through the Holy Spirit, Christ’s Successor and Vicegerent, verily our “other Comforter.”

Notice:
“The Holy Spirit comes to us as a Comforter. By the transforming agency of His grace, the IMAGE of God is REPRODUCED in the disciple; he becomes a new creature. LOVE takes the place of hatred, and the heart receives the DIVINE SIMILITUDE [likeness].” E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 391.

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

The Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 33 – LOVE: THE FIRST ‘FRUIT’ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 6)

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
October 23, 2024

The Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 33

LOVE: THE FIRST ‘FRUIT’ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 6)

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul, “the apostle to the Gentiles,” wrote what is famously known and quoted from as “the love chapter”of 2 Corinthians 13.

Paul was unique among the first apostles in a couple of aspects; one outstanding one was he alone was “caught up to the third heaven. . . Into paradise “either by vision or dream-vision (like Jacob) “to the third heavens, even paradise itself.” Writing in the third person, he humbly relates this in 2 Cor. 12: 1-11. Be sure to read it unhurriedly and without preconceived ideas for it reveals the context on which the familiar words, “My grace is sufficient for thee” (verse 9) applies to.

As might be normally expected, Paul did not, however, describe what his EYES BEHELD there, like “gorgeous mansions,” or any of the familiar patriarchs, prophets, and kings.

Why? Simply because they returned to the dust from where man was made from, and will only be arise from their dusty graves in the “resurrection of the just” when Christ, in His “love that conquers all,”
returns in His second advent, bringing His “reward of eternal life” to “all who loved Him by keeping His commandments.

Rather, the only “good report” Paul brought back down to earth with him as it were, of his sacred, otherworldly experience and trip to the third heavens to share with us finite, mortal earthlings was (emphasis mine):

“I HEARD UNSPEAKABLE WORDS, WHICH IS NOT LAWFUL FOR A MAN TO  UTTER.” Verse 4.

Without “uttering these heavenly words Paul nevertheless provides more spiritual insight but not any details elsewhere, writing (emphasis mine):

“Eye hath not seen, NOR nor EAR HEARD, nor has entered into the heart of men what God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Cor. 2:9. The rest of the chapter says that the Holy Spirit is prepared to reveal “the deep things of God” but can only be “spiritually discerned.”

Thus, when we read again, even repeat by rote memory the love chapter of 1 Corinthians 13, we now know that this love, called “charity” in the KJV (A.V.) has absolutely nothing of “eros” in it, is not based on “philos,” neither its substitute though of “brotherly love,” nor ever “platonic” but exclusively “agape,” selfless love.”

Fallen, sinful mortals with carnal minds and hearts are all born with sinful propensities, which are all “at enmity,” not in agreement or harmony with truth, righteousness, self-denial and self-sacrifice. Selfishness is part of the nature of fallen mortals. The love that it is capable of is precisely that. One cannot expect pure water from a polluted well or spring. The source must first be purified.

But where the plan of redemption is concerned, there is absolutely no provision whatsoever for “self-cleaning,”
self-cleansing, or self-atonement, even if we “give our bodies to be burned,” etc.

It is only by living faith in the cleansing power of the blood life sacrifice of the Lamb of God “to take away sin and its guilt, and receive by “asking, seeking, and knocking for the Holy Spirit” and His “baptism by fire” to “consume sin” (Matt. 3: 11, 12; Mal. 3: Mal. 3: 1-6; Heb.13: 28, 29; Deut. 4:24; 9: 3; Isa 5:24) will any striving believer be able to “overcome even as Christ overcame”(Rev. 3:18-22) “the world, the flesh, and the devil.”
By these enlightenment we can better understand and appreciate the sublime privilege of knowing the LOVE OF JESUS that reveals the fullness of God, as declared by Paul herewith (emphasis mine):

 “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,  of whom the family in heaven and on earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory [glorious character] to be strengthened with might by His [Holy] Spirit [dwelling] in the inner man [heart, mind, conscience]; 
 “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith. That ye, being rooted and grounded in LOVE, may be able to COMPREHEND with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and TO KNOW THE LOVE OF CHRIST WHICH PASSETH KNOWLEDGE, THAT YE MIGHT BE FILLED WITH ALL THE FULNESS OF GOD. 
 “Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 
“Unto Him be glory in the church through Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Eph. 3:14-21, KJV.

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

The Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 32 – LOVE: THE FIRST ‘FRUIT’ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 5)

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
October 16, 2024

The Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 32

LOVE: THE FIRST ‘FRUIT’ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 5)

That PLATONIC LOVE, the philosophical brainchild of the Greek philosopher Plato—is not from and of the eternal God who is “love, light, and life”—-is part of Paul’s bold declaration of the foolishness of men’s wisdom compared to God’s wisdom as quoted hereunder. (All emphasis and bracketed words mine):

“For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, I will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made FOOLISH THE WISDOM OF THE WORLD? For after that IN THE WISDOM OF GOD the world by wisdom [its own] KNEW NOT GOD, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching [as considered by the wisdom of man] to SAVE THEM THAT BELIEVE. For the Jews require a SIGN [miraculous physical evidence], and the GREEKS seek after WISDOM [of the world]. But we [Paul and the apostles] preach CHRIST crucified, unto the JEWS A STUMBLING BLOCK, and unto the GREEKS FOOLISHNESS. But unto them which are called [and respond], BOTH JEWS AND GREEKS, Christ is the power of God, and the Wisdom of God. Because THE FOOLISHNESS OF GOD IS WISER THAN MEN [‘both Jew and Greek’]; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.” 1 Cor. 19-25, A.V.

Two of Paul’s truth-dense epistles were written to and named after two Greeks, namely, Timotheus or Timothy, and Titus. Notice (emphasis mine):

Of Timothy: “Then came he [Paul] to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a  CERTAIN DISCIPLE was there, NAMED TIMOTHEUS, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed [in Christ]; but his father was a GREEK: which was well reported of by the brethren. . . .and circumcised him BECAUSE OF THE JEWS for they knew all that his [Timothy’a] father was a Greek.” Acts. 16: 1-3. 

 Of Titus: “Then 14 years after I [Paul] went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took TITUS with me also. . . . But neither Titus, who was with me, being a GREEK, was compelled to be circumcised [by the troublesome Judaizing Jews].” Gal. 2: 1, 3.

Paul makes it crystal clear to both believers and unbelievers through all time, dispensations, and eras that where the gospel of salvation is concerned “God “is no respecter of persons:”

 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond [slave] or free, neither male nor female: for ye are all ONE in Christ.” Gal. 3:28. 

“For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed. For there is NO DIFFERENCE between the Jews and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is RICH unto all that call upon Him. For WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be [not already or automatically] saved.” Rom. 10: 11-13.

In fact it was the unbelieving Judaizing Jews, not the GREEKS and Gentiles, who fomented hatred and persecution toward Paul and Barnabas as they proclaimed the crucified, risen, and ascended Savior.

“And it came to pass in Iconium, that they both went up together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a GREAT MULTITUDE both of the Jews and the GREEKS BELIEVED. But the unbelieving Jews STIRRED UP the Gentiles, and made their MINDS EVIL affected against the brethren.” Acts. 14: 1, 2 (read chapters 13, 14 for broader context).

These sample verses are cited to prevent any hasty conclusions that this ministry is prejudiced against Plato, atheists, Holy Spirit deniers, antinomians, hedonists, or any fellow finite mortals. Indeed, “All we like sheep have gone astray,” and that “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Rather, it is the anti-scriptural, counterfeit, erroneous doctrines and philosophies of any and all that we are addressing here—-and all in the LOVE of God and in defense of the gospel “truth as it is in Jesus.”

The love that manifests in the life of the truly converted and spiritually-growing followers of Christ, defined as the “fruit” of the indwelling Holy Spirit, is one and the same as that of God the Father and Jesus Christ the only-begotten Son, for “They Three are One.”

We will focus in the following editions on the “agape” SELF-LESS “love divine and excelling” that alone is of the Godhead, emanates from the Father IN Christ the only-begotten Son (both “of God” and “of Man”), imparted through the Holy Spirit, empowers all, packaged the “more abounding saving grace that is greater than the power of temptations of “the world, the flesh, and the devil,” and thus, “greater than faith and hope.”

To be continued next week, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

The Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 31: LOVE: THE FIRST ‘FRUIT’ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 4)

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
October 9, 2024

The Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 31

LOVE: THE FIRST ‘FRUIT’ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 4)

After identifying last week the three different root words translated into the common word love, namely, “eros,” “philos,” and “agape,” thus clearly revealing the stark differences between them, but not till thus carefully analyzed. We now consider the fourth kind (not cited in any order of importance), “platonic love,” a brainchild of the Greek philosopher, Plato.

Knowing more about the man reveals even more of this kind of love, more specifically, if it is based on God and His divine love. The following is quoted from the authoritative secular source of Webster’s Unified Dictionary and Encyclopedia, published by H. S. Stuttman Co. Inc., NY, 1960, p. 3304 (all emphasis mine):

“Plato. 428-438 B.C., Greek philosopher was born at Athens, of one of the most distinguished families of the city. In early life a pupil of SOCRATES, he set up his own PHILOSOPHICAL SCHOOL, the Academy, c 387, having spent the interval between his master’s death and that date in travel in Italy and elsewhere. All Plato’s authentic writings, and some others on which both ancient and modern critics have cast more or less doubt, have come down to posterity. Practically all of them are in the ‘dialogue form,’ which he particularly affected. Plato’s PHILOSOPHY, briefly, was IDEALISM: THE BELIEF THAT IDEAS, RATHER THAN MATTER, ARE THE TRUE REALITY, ETERNAL AND UNCHANGING, FROM WHICH ALL LIFE AND CREATION STEM. 

“Plato GLORIFIED the RATIONAL SOUL as ORIGINAL, IMMORTAL, SUPERIOR TO THE BODY. He was one of the MOST INFLUENTIAL of all philosophers  in Western civilization.” (end quote).

How did Paul, ‘the apostle to the Gentiles’ of the Christian era of the New Testament describe in his Holy Spirit-inspired epistles the vaunted “wisdom” of the Greek philosophers of who still wield such a powerful influence in these last days, not only upon Western civilization but in the beliefs and doctrines of its different religions, sects, and denominations but all united in two fundamental doctrines: the immortality of the soul and the sacredness of the first day of the week!

Thus it is of the greatest urgency that all professed Christians humbly “examine themselves and prove themselves” strictly by God’s word as to how they understand “love” as given in “God so LOVED the world. . . “, “If you LOVE Me, keep My commandments.” John 3:16; 14: 15, etc., or the so-called “love chapter” of 1 Corinthians 13.

We will summon the testimony of New Testament regarding the philosophy and wisdom of the Greeks compared to the principles, knowledge, and wisdom of the omniscient, and omnipotent LIVING God of love, light, and life, God wiling. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

The Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 30: LOVE: The FIRST ‘FRUIT’ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 3)

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
October 2, 2024

The Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 30

LOVE: ThE FIRST ‘FRUIT’ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 3)

A solemn, constant reminder for all time and occasions: the Spirit, Christ’s only appointed Successor, Vicar, or Vicegerent on earth since His ascension never was and never will be any finite mortal man, verily the third Person of the Godhead, but unlike Christ the Creator who, in the “great mystery of godliness” and “love divine and love excelling”
incarnated into “the likeness of sinful human nature” (Rom.8: 3, 1-14) is “devoid of the personality of humanity and independent thereof.”

“God is love, light, and life,” and this truth remains fresh “the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Absolutely “nothing whatsoever and whoever can separate us from this love.” Rom. 8:35-39.

Let’s talk about love. There are four kinds of love known to man. The first three are brilliantly dissected for us by Leslie Harding, PhD.. in his book With Jesus in His Sanctuary, p. 228, published by the Book Publishing Division of American Cassette Ministries, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.. (all emphasis and bracketed words mine):

“Three Greek Words for Love. The Greeks had 3 words to describe love. EROS was the name of the god of sexual love, and so Eros came to mean love which was an outgrowth of his nature. Eros is driven by sexual drives and emotions [and passions, too], and is a longing, and yearning desire for the UNPOSSESSED. Eros thinks only of SELF and SELF-PRESERVATION. Our English words ‘erotic,’ ‘erogenous.’ and ‘erotica’ are derived from this Greek root. Eros or its derivatives are NEVER found in the New Testament. R. C. Trench sagely observed: ‘The absence is significant’ (Synonyms of the New Testament, 43). In the Septuagint two of the forms occur, but rarely (Est. 2:17; Prov. 4:6; Eze. 16:33; Hos. 2:5).

“The common Greek word for LOVE BETWEEN TWO PEOPLE, —friends, children and companions, and often based on a blood-relationship, — was PHILOS. Several English words have sprung from this root combined with its objects. PHIL-ADELPHIA means love of a brother. PHIL-ANTHROPY means love of mankind. PHIL-OSOPHY, love of wisdom, etc. While this love is actuated by EMOTIONS, these exist in a different level from those which
drive EROS. Philos occurs in the Scriptures. [However] Respect and reverence are NOT involved in Philos.

“The third Greek term is AGAPE, ‘a word born within the bosom of religion; it occurs in the Septuagint (2 Sam. 13:15; Cant. 2:4; Jer 2:2), and in the Apocrypha (Wisdom 3:9); but there is no trace of it in ANY HEATHEN WRITER ever’ (Trench, op.cit.33). A peculiarly CHRISTIAN term, AGAPE, it describes God’s RELATIONSHIP with man. As a consequence of ‘God’s LOVE shed abroad in our hearts’ [Rom. 5:5] we are ABLE to build ideal relationships with each other on a richer plain (1 John 4:7-11).

“AGAPE IS NOT DRIVEN BY EMOTION OR FEELING BUT SOLELY BY PRINCIPLE. It describes the forming of relationships on a carefully considered intellectual level with a view to bringing about EVERY GOOD RESULT TO ALL CONCERNED. It ‘expresses a more reasoning attachment, of choice and selection. . . . respect and reverence. . . . While men are continually hidden ‘agapan ton Theon’ (Matt. 22:37; Luke 10:27; 1 Cor. 8:3), and good men are declared to do so (Rom. 8:28; 1 Pet. 1:8; 1 John 4:21), the ‘philein ton Theon’ is COMMANDED THEM NEVER. The Father, indeed, both ‘agapan ton Huron’ (John 3:35), and also ‘philei ton Huion’ (John 5:20)’ (Trench, op.cit. 41,41). GOD REQUIRES MANKIND TO SHOW HIM ‘AGAPE’-LOVE.

“God’s love, Agape, CREATED the universe [not only ‘the earth and its heaven’] ‘in the beginning,’ and everything was VERY GOOD.’ Goodness contains the idea of UNIVERSAL well-being. There is NOTHING OF SELF in ‘agape.’ God’s LOVE-CREATION required the setting up of all the RELATIONSHIPS necessary for the maintenance of every form of existence in a STATE OF PERFECTION.” (end quote from Harding).

The fourth is “platonic love,” conceptualizes by the influential Greek philosopher, Plato, which we will pick up on next week’s MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

The Third Person of the Godhead series – Part 29: LOVE: THE FIRST ‘FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 2)

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
September 25, 2024

The Third Person of the Godhead series – Part 29

LOVE: THE FIRST ‘FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Part 2)

Before considering more Scriptures that amplify the sublime meaning of the sacred nature this “love” fruit borne only by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the true believer, take a closer look at how, by inspiration of the selfsame Holy Spirit, apostle Paul contrasts by comparing two detailed lists of the 17 “manifestations of the works of the flesh” on one hand, and the the 9 (actually 10) manifestations of the “fruits of the Spirit” on the other. See Galatians 5: 19-21, then 22, 23; cf. 14-26, K.J. V.

Notice that heading the list of the “works of the flesh,” ADULTERY comes first, followed by fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness. . . .” While heading the list of the “fruits of the Spirit” is LOVE. This by no means is coincidental or happenstance but by divine design. Here’s why:

Beginning in the fall in Eden, where Adam “was not deceived like Eve was” (1 Tim. 2: 13, 14) but knowingly chose to join his wife in disobeying the Creator because “he could not bear the thought of losing her.” He loved his wife more than his Creator!

The original, pristinely pure principle of “love” that emanates from “the God of love, life, and light” steadily degraded into the carnal, corrupted, perverted, earthly, sensual, self-pleasing, self-indulging, emotionalism, sentimentalism, and romanticism, idolatrous worship of man for his fellow mortals and his achievements and works, bringing in its train the curses that brought the long-suffering wrath of God upon the wicked antediluvian world with the flood. Gen. 6: 1-22.

Jesus plainly warned our final generation: “As it was in the days of Noah so shall it be in the days of the coming of the Son of man.” Matt. 24:37-51.
John made it plain and simple: “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 EYE, the PRIDE OF LIFE, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the WORLD PASSETH AWAY AND THE LUSTS THEREOF; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever [never passes away!].” 1 John 2: 15-17.

Find time to see for yourself the expanded list of the “works of the flesh” and their certain consequences and final rewards in the following: Rom. 1: 16-32; 1 Cor. 1: 19, 20; Eph. 5: 1–17, etc.

Unless our hearts and mind are transformed by God’s amazing, empowering grace, and the “old man” with a carnal
mind is replaced with “the new creature in Christ Jesus” possessing “the mind of Christ,” the “love fruit” of the Holy Spirit cannot be manifest in us! What will appear are its many counterfeits that “will have the form of godliness but will deny its power thereof.”

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.

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Mid-week Manna

Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 28:LOVE: THE ‘FIRST FRUIT’ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

MID-WEEK MANNA FROM PASTOR NAT’S DESK:
September 18, 2024

Third Person of the Godhead Series – Part 28

LOVE: THE ‘FIRST FRUIT’ OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

“God is love.” 1 John 4:8-16.

“Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is ONE LORD. And thou shalt LOVE the Lord thy God with ALL thine heart, and with ALL thy soul, and with ALL thy might [or strength].” Deut. 6: 4, 5. (Compare to Mark 12: 28-34; Luke 10: 25-28).

To be sure, there is only one God—the Creator and the Redeemer. All others who claim and pretend to be (or are made to be so by idolaters of all stripes, such as the sun, moon, stars, and animals, etc.) beginning with Satan “the enemy of God and man,” their master, are false gods.

The fulness of God Almighty the Eternal One, is beyond ken of His intelligent creatures; much less of fallen, sinful, finite mortals. But according to His own Word, omniscience, love, and “enduring mercy,” He chose to reveal His fulness in and through the GODHEAD made of three Persons. “For there are THREE that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost (Spirit): and these Three are ONE.” 1 John 5:7, A.V.

The Word is first and foremost, Christ, Jehovah the Creator (John 1:1-3, 14) and then, Redeemer through His mysterious incarnation, atoning sacrifice in His death by crucifixion, victorious resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of the Father in His glorious, white throne in heaven. “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: 1-3. Then the Word is both “the written and the spoken word by and through the power of the Holy Spirit: “It is written”; “Thus saith the Lord.” “To the law and the testimony: if they speak not according to this Word it is because there is NO light [of truth] in them.” (Isa. 8:20).

The God of love is the “Lord our righteousness” Jeremiah 23:6. Thus, God’s “Righteousness is LOVE, and love is the LIGHT and LIFE of God.” (E. G. White, Sons and Daughters, p. 304).

John was the youngest of the first Twelve when they were “called from their nets” by Jesus. He was drawn to and personally stayed closer to Christ than the eleven. Thus he was called even to this day as “John the beloved,” i. e.. of Jesus. Among the four synoptic gospels, John presents the most sublime aspect of the same gospel recorded by Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

It is in John’s gospel where we read a concentration of Christ’s pre and post crucifixion promises of the coming of, person, presence, office work, and efficiency of the Holy Spirit, His appointed Successor and vicegerent on earth after His ascension—the third Person of the Godhead “but devoid of the personality of humanity and independent thereof.”

In solemn biblical fact and spiritual truth, the Holy Sprit is “the fulness Godhead”—not “bodily” as Christ alone, “the “only begotten Son of God,”
incarnated into “the likeness of sinful flesh” in “the great mystery of godliness which is beyond any controversy” and thus gain the new identity and unique relationship to the Father. In both Sonships, Jesus repeatedly declared to the Pharisees and the Jewish nation in His time, “I and My Father are one.”

John wrote in language that even a child and the unlearned can understand regarding the love of the Father in Christ for Christ, His only-begotten Son and their undeserved love for fallen men.

John 3:16 is a keystone verse of this glorious truth of God, and the Godhead’s love underwriting the “counsel of peace” entered into by the Godhead “before the foundations of the earth were laid,” where and when the plan of redemption was contemplated and devised in the event man would fall, and did fall.

For beginners, we’ll just quote “what is written” from the “little John’s.”

 “Behold, what manner of LOVE the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the WORLD knoweth us not, because it knew Him NOT.” 1 John 3:1. 
“My little children, let us NOT LOVE in word, neither in tongue but in DEED and in TRUTH.” 1 John 3:18.
 “The Lord our Righteousness.” Jer. 23:6.
 “Fulness of the Godhead bodily.” Col. 2:9, 10; 1: 19, 16-18. 
 “In the likeness of sinful flesh.” Rom. 8:3.
 “Beloved, let us LOVE ONE ANOTHER: for LOVE IS OF GOD and everyone the loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the LOVE OF GOD TOWARD US, because that God sent His only-begotten Son INTO the world, that WE MIGHT LIVE THROUGH HIM. Herein is love, NOT THAT WE LOVED GOD, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation [atoning sacrifice in His substitutionary death] for our sins.” 1 John 4: 7-10, KJV.

Likewise, beloved brethren in Christ, as you pray daily, “ask, seek, and knock” for the Holy Spirit” for it is only by and through Him that we can “bear the fruit of the LOVE OF CHRIST for undeserving sinners like us, and His perfect ENMITY (righteous indignation and hatred) towards SIN (transgression of His law) for it SEPARATES (Isa. 59: 2) the omnipotent Creator from His creatures, the loving Redeemer from all who are deceived, mesmerized, enamored, and enslaved to sin and Satan “the father of lies and murderer from the beginning.”

To be continued next MWM, God willing. Bless all, NMF.