Peter wrote by The Holy Spirit in his 2nd epistle chapter 1:
5 So devote yourselves to lavishly supplementing your faith with goodness,
and to goodness add understanding,
6 and to understanding add the strength of self-control,
and to self-control add patient endurance,
and to patient endurance add godliness,
7 and to godliness add mercy toward your brothers and sisters,
and to mercy toward others add unending Love.
8 Since these virtues are already planted deep within, and you possess them in abundant supply, they will keep you from being inactive or fruitless in your pursuit of knowing Jesus Christ more intimately. 9 But if anyone lacks these things, he is blind, constantly closing his eyes to the mysteries of our faith, and forgetting his innocence—for his past sins have been washed away.
10 For this reason, beloved ones, be eager to confirm and validate that God has invited you to salvation and claimed you as HIS own. If you do these things, you will never stumble. 11 As a result, the kingdom’s gates will open wide to you as God choreographs your triumphant entrance into the eternal Kingdom of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Messiah.
The only reason a person does not walk in the fruitfulness of the above virtues is due to his or her blindness which forgetfulness. We must never lose focus of this Truth.
Unending Love requires discipline and obedience. When I am instructed by The Holy Spirit to do or say something, I purpose to be timely and complete in my response. What is usually the most difficult area for people to be obedient? It is when you are instructed to give. If you are not a giver, you are blind to the benefits stated by Jesus in His own Words in Luke chapter 6:
38 “Give generously and generous gifts will be given back to you, shaken down to make room for more. Abundant gifts will pour out upon you with such an overflowing measure that it will run over the top! Your measurement of generosity becomes the measurement of your return.”
If a person cannot pass the test of giving, that person will never fully mature. I have walked according to those Words in verse 38 for decades and can attest to their validity. FATHER is overjoyed when we respond to this most difficult area of discipline and obedience. When we respond to HIS directives, we attack greed head on for it is the root of all evil.
I have missed it in the past? Of course. I do not let past failures keep me from current success. My past failures provide a comparison for instruction.
Many in the ministry are unwilling to deal with the hardheartedness of people who will not joyfully give. I have no problem is dealing with such an unpopular topic among believers since FATHER provides my family’s needs and desires. I have no congregation to hold me hostage from dealing with tough topics. Jesus also had no problem in challenging those who needed a “corrective interview”.
FATHER wants all of us to walk in HIS fullness of the above virtues. If HE didn’t, HE would not have instructed Peter to share them for they are all attainable to those who are not blind.
Because of my education and past experience in business, people often ask my opinion about investments. I now have no opinion or position apart from FATHER’S Word. Simply do what HE instructs you to do and/or say and HE will guide you into prosperity in whatever form is needed to fulfill your personal requirements as well as the desires of your heart.
Agape Love requires discipline and obedience. As a result, you will produce much good fruit and will have the means to help others.