Servias Ministries Blog

By THE SPIRIT in Luke chapter 6 Jesus spoke:

37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.

38 Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

There is only one righteous standard over all the earth by which everything else is measured and that standard is Jesus Christ and His Character.  As we mature in Christ we take on that same standard and are raised up in like manner for all the world to be compared against.

Business, construction, and navigation all rely on standards in order to be most effective and it is no different in the Spiritual realm.  The worldly orientation of judgment is often described as “people judge themselves by their intent but everyone else by their actions”.  By walking in that frame of mind people are simply deceiving themselves.  Jesus speaks of the reality of sowing and reaping in the above passage.  Whatever you sow or give, it will be returned to you in like manner.

Some may claim this Law of sowing and reaping to be selective in some aspect but I say to you that FATHER will repay in the most effective manner.  A person may accuse and speak ill of another and then be plagued with chronic sickness.  FATHER will repay according to the unique priorities of the individual.

If Love is what you sow, the GOD of Love will open up HIS storehouse on your behalf.  You may face daily challenges because you are simply walking out life in this day and time but FATHER will open doors for you that would otherwise be shut.  I have seen this occur many times over my life.  I had one client who emphatically stated for years he would never spend money in a particular area and indeed wrote the check this year.  Never say ”never”.  As I have said in the past, you are just one phone call away from a blessing.  FATHER will make sure that you receive what you sow.

In this political season it would be easy to judge and condemn.  Instead, we must let FATHER do the judging by HIS Righteous standard and know that each nation will receive its appropriate leader based on the hearts of the people.  FATHER will protect HIS children no matter what occurs in the political arena.  We must understand that FATHER’S judgment is required to turn people from their wicked ways and we may soon observe that reality.

In Exodus chapter 23 FATHER spoke:

1 “You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

2 You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice.”

We are not called to be politically correct for we must follow in the footsteps of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is our standard, not man.  These days nearly every form of perversion has become protected by man’s laws yet FATHER will have the last Word, of that you can be assured.  FATHER is not moved by man’s moral depravity and HE will remove the veil of protection over a nation who follows the path toward death and destruction.  If the depravity is severe, the righteous judgment will be in like manner. Consider Sodom and Gomorrah.

Those who have exploited mankind for their personal gain in this current system will be judged accordingly.  James wrote by THE SPIRIT in chapter 5:

1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!

2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.

3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.

Their wealth will end up with no value for it is temporary by its nature.  The everlasting riches are only found in Heaven and FATHER will repay appropriately.  Let us live by the Standard of Unconditional Love and reap our harvest multiplied by FATHER.  There is only one true standard by which all are judged and as we come to that realization in our lives, we will be drawn to that standard and thus live by it.

By THE SPIRIT Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians chapter 5:

16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

As we mature in Christ our perspective changes thus changing our priorities.  Rather than seeing how we can extract from others, we look for ways to be a blessing to mankind.  We become willing to sacrifice to the point where the old priorities become nonexistent and pointless.  We begin seeing others from Christ’s perspective, some with joy and others with sorrow.

As our Spiritual eyes mature our perspective in all matters becomes clearer and FATHER guides us through life embracing what HE embraces and distancing ourselves from all else unless HE chooses us to minister in such areas.  The physical becomes less important than the Spiritual.  In 1 Samuel chapter 16 by THE SPIRIT it was written:

7  But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him. Man does not see what the LORD sees, for man sees what is visible, but the LORD sees the heart.”

Looking into the heart will bring forth joy or sadness depending on the state of the individual.  FATHER selected David not by his outward appearance but by what was in his heart.  Men continually focus on outward appearance as the deciding factor in their willingness to align themselves with that individual rather than finding out what motivates the individual and his or her willingness to serve the purpose at hand.  With Love being the ultimate motivation, one who is guided by Love will be the most reliable.  Those will self-interest at heart will only be reliable until their self-interest supersedes the task at hand.  They are motivated but with conditions.

By THE SPIRIT Paul spoke in Acts chapter 28:

25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 26 saying,

​​‘​Go to this people and say:

​​“Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand;

​​And seeing you will see, and not perceive;

27 ​​For the hearts of this people have grown dull.

​​Their ears are hard of hearing,

​​And their eyes they have closed,

​​Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,

​​Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,

​​So that I should heal them.” ’

We are warned about becoming hard of hearing and blind to understanding.  Additionally we are warned of our hearts growing “dull”.  There are those who were once vibrant in their commitment to FATHER but over the years have grown lukewarm in their willingness to serve HIM.  They began living a life of compromise and little by little they made decisions to redirect their priorities to the things of the world.  They allowed their eyes to focus on things that are of little or no importance to the Kingdom of Our Heavenly Father.  Dullness occurs over time just as hot water becomes lukewarm.  Slowly we see the trend and then there develops a resistance to FATHER’S Word.  The cares of the world have crept in.

As we see these situations occur, we must take heed lest we fall into the same trap.  We must reprioritize if necessary.  We must look at the man in the mirror and make a critical assessment so that we sidestep any snare set before us.  We are given Spiritual eyes in order to see the pitfalls of the world’s path and steer clear.  We are given Spiritual eyes to bring forth correction as appropriate, encouragement when there is a willingness to receive, and the discernment to identify the root of the problem.  Let us keep our Spiritual eyes open at all times.

Are we willing to suffer for Christ?  That is a question the flesh does not want to hear for the flesh will always move toward the path of least resistance.  In order to grow, we must be willing to suffer in the area of our emphasis.  When my daughter made a decision to run a half marathon (13.1 miles) she knew her body would suffer in preparation for success.  She was not known for her athleticism in school but she wanted to prove to herself she could do it.  It took her months to prepare for the day of the race.  There were days of sore muscles, fatigue, and emotional challenges during her time of maturing for the race.  There were times of discouragement and her loved ones would help her overcome the emotions and pain.  She ran the race and crossed the finish line.  Not bad for a mother of three who overcame all obstacles to fulfill her desire.

By THE SPIRIT Paul wrote in Romans chapter 8:

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

If you expect to be one of the “elect”, plan to suffer for Christ for it will not be a casual walk in the park.  If you are a frequent reader of these blogs, I would suggest that you are being drawn by FATHER to fulfill a higher calling.  As I look back at what FATHER reveals on a day by day basis, I see a theme of preparations for those who are called to a higher state of maturity.  Walking in Love on a consistent basis is not for the weak and faint of heart.  To fulfill a higher calling we must make the decision to suffer on HIS behalf.  Paul was willing, I am willing, and I trust you are too.

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 2 Timothy 1:

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,

9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

The world will ridicule us in our belief in Christ.  So what!  The world ridicules anyone who does not conform to their control, manipulation, and enslavement.  Our elder Brother Jesus Christ suffered the ultimate on our behalf thus we must not shy away when the world ridicules us in like fashion.  Our Heavenly Father will lead, guide, and protect us according to HIS plan for our lives.  Our suffering is temporary compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us!

We need to focus on the prize, not the preparation.  Our suffering often centers around the the old man in us and what it takes to die to the flesh.  Rooting out those lusts of the former man can be a challenge.  About the time we think we have overcome the flesh, FATHER applies a little more pressure to uncover the deep-seated issue within and reveals it to us, not in condemnation but for correction.

The early believers produced much fruit for the Kingdom.  In Acts chapter 5 it is written by THE SPIRIT:

40 And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

41 So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.

42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

How many of us are rejoicing as we suffer?  It is easy to rejoice when things are going well but when the pressure is on are we embracing the challenge before us?  Those times are when our level of maturity is revealed.  Consider Paul who would write two-thirds of the New Testament.  In Acts chapter 9 Jesus appeared to Ananias:

10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”

And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”

11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.

12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”

13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.

14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.

16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

We all want to be a chosen vessel but are we willing to also take on the suffering associated with being chosen?  We must overcome the flesh to fulfill the calling given to us by FATHER.  Love is the motivation which overcomes the emotions when the pressure is applied.  As we are strengthened in our Love walk, we will be willing to suffer for Christ and our fruit will abound for the Kingdom.

When one member of the body is in pain, the whole body suffers to some degree.  How many of us have had a sleepless night because muscle, ligament, or tendon was strained and caused pain with every movement?  Each and every movement brought on pain which kept you from getting that cherished sleep.  The minutes ticked away and you were wondering if you would ever get relief enough to fall asleep.  That one body part was hardly ever noticed  before because it performed its duties without notice.  Not this night!  With every breath taken the dull pain would keep you awake.

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 Corinthians chapter 12:

20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.

21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”

22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.

23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty,

24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it,

25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.

26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

The stronger must compensate and help the weaker.  Jesus in Whom all power and authority were given represents the One Who is the strongest member of the Body for He is the Head.  We must come to the realization that we need each and every one of us are members of His Body.  When one of us is suffering, the whole body suffers.  We must keep this Truth before us at all times and not become calloused toward others.  Our motivation must be to focus on strengthening those who are weak so the entire body comes into full maturity.  What good is an excellent eye without the ear being able to hear?  What good is a hand if the foot is unable to transport the hand to maximize its usefulness?

In Colossians chapter 3, Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT:

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Love must be our motivation for ministering to the rest of the body.  We must cease judging the weaker members and instead focus on their restoration and help them become stronger in their areas of weakness.  Rather than isolating the member of the Body in need, we must rally around that member and provide support for healing and know that it may take time and resource for it be fully restored.  Let the rallying cry of the Body of Christ be “All for One and One for All!”

By THE SPIRIT Paul wrote in Colossians chapter 2:

13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,

14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.

The Love of Our Heavenly Father through the manifestation of HIS Son cannot be made of none effect.  Our full and complete restoration is assured IN HIM.  The only question is at what point do we choose to fully accept HIS superior Love which is above all thoughts and actions of rulers and authorities.  HIS Love is not overcome by these lesser entities in any manner.

The world is hostile toward anyone who chooses The Way, the Truth, and the Life which is through Jesus Christ.  We must accept this reality and understand that FATHER’S Love will overcome the world and its rulers.  HE will do so by HIS Wisdom which is far above their understanding.  Their own blindness will ensnare them thus requiring deliverance from their wrong decisions and motivations.  Just as the malicious intent of the rulers to remove Jesus by sending Him to the cross and thus fulfilling FATHER’S Plan, once again the rulers of this day will play into the Plan of FATHER.

16 Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day—

17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.

18 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind,

19 and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.

Men would have you in bondage to their opinion of the Word of GOD.  Instead, we are to hear FATHER for ourselves and receive revelation from HIM first hand.  Each of us is responsible for becoming mature to the point where we no longer rely on tutors who are not infallible.  Let us each rise up into full maturity so that we don’t allow ourselves to become enslaved by the error of men.  Rather than take on the customs of men who would appear to be superior in their knowledge of Scripture, seek FATHER and have HIM instruct you this day.  As my friend Kemper told me, “It’s better to do nothing if I don’t know what to do rather than keep doing the wrong thing.”

FATHER’S Word is backed by power and authority.  It will produce good fruit.  When it is clear that the world is producing bad fruit or no fruit, their path is not one we should follow.  Let us grab ahold of the reality of Jesus Christ and the need to nail our old man to His cross.  We too must die to the flesh so that we live IN HIM for He is the Head and we are the body.  The Head directs the body, not visa versa.

We must quit expecting our outward observing of The Law to be the deciding factor of FATHER acting on our behalf.  In Matthew 23 Jesus spoke:

27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.

28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous,

30 and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’”

The inward work of Christ is what will change us.  The outward is the resulting expression of the inward change.  The world’s hostility reflects their inward state and as long as their hearts remain unchanged, they will continue on the path to death and destruction.  We must guard ourselves from accepting the world’s influence of behavior based on legalism and let our walk be led by THE SPIRIT within.

By THE SPIRIT James wrote in chapter 1:

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;

24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

A mirror reflects and represents what it sees.  If you smile, you receive a smile from the mirror.  If you snarl, you receive the same.  If you Love then you will receive Love.  Ultimately we can only harvest what we plant and if we will only look in the mirror, we will quickly comprehend the seeds we are planting in others’ lives.  If FATHER Loves a generous and cheerful giver then how does HE responds to one who is selfish?  Jesus clearly states what will result for this person in Matthew chapter 25:

29 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

This Truth goes counter to what the world teaches and the less “world” we have in us the more generous we become.  “Stuff” becomes less important to us as we seek the Heavenly reward.  The world would have us fearful of loss and the inability to flourish in the future, thus their answer is always war in order to get resources from others.  This attitude of entitlement is in direct conflict to the teachings and actions of Jesus for He taught us that we would be sufficient in all things as we became mature in Spiritual matters.  In some cases we will no longer require what we thought we needed.  In other cases, FATHER will provide the abundance to satisfy all our need.  In any case, we are sufficient in all things.

By THE SPIRIT Paul wrote Galatians chapter 6:

6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

You reap what you sow.  This law has been in effect since the beginning of time yet people often fail to walk according to this law but instead attempt to defy it.  They want FATHER to bless them yet they never plant any seed so that they will receive a harvest.  Our intent in planting the seed determines our harvest, not the apparent result associated with the recipient.  People have harshly judged the evangelists, churches, and ministry projects of the past.  However FATHER has had my family give to many of those who are now being judged.  As I cheerfully gave, FATHER cheerfully supplied all my need according to HIS Riches.  My willingness to give is what determines my reward.  The recipients use or misuse of funds determines their reward or judgment.  FATHER is aware of all aspects of giving and receiving.  As we do our part we open ourselves up to HIS blessing. 

It is time to look in the mirror and critically assess what we see.  It we don’t like what we see then change!

In 1 Corinthians chapter 4, Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT:

1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

Everything I have in my possession has ultimately come from FATHER and I should never think or act beyond that reality for I am a steward.  HE has placed us on this earth at this time, prepared and raised us up, and  revealed HIS mysteries unto us.  We should live our lives with gratitude rather than an air of entitlement.

3 But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself.

4 For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord.

5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.

We should not be moved by men’s attempts to judge us for their motivation will ultimately be revealed by FATHER as HE reveals all men’s hearts.  As HIS light shines into the darkness the motives of men will be revealed.  As we continue on the path FATHER has us on let us be at peace with what HE has given us in Word and what HE has us perform in deed.  Men will attempt to judge our speck through the beam in their eye.  Let these words comfort each of us as the world speaks ill toward us.

6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.

7 For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

8 You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you.

We must not take on the air of being superior and arrogant for we don’t possess anything that wasn’t first given to us.  One of the biggest stumbling blocks is knowledge without wisdom and understanding.  When men gain knowledge without being motivated by Love, they will attempt to manipulate others for their own self interest.  They exalt themselves and belittle those around them.  We must remember that FATHER is the Originator of all true knowledge, Wisdom, understanding, and skill.  HE gave us gifts and callings to be used for blessing, not belittling.

There are those who believe they are already manifested Sons of GOD yet there is no apparent fruit or witness to their perfection.  They are “legends in their own mind”.  The firstfruits of the Sons must begin with Love not lordship.  We must be willing to serve all rather than proclaim ourselves as kings expecting everyone else to serve us.

14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.

15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me.

Paul gave up all to serve.  He became as a father to the various congregations of believers.  A father is one who raises up a son to maturity and is in the continual giving mode toward that son.  The father must be patient and longsuffering as well as correcting the mistakes and direction of the immature son.  The father must emulate Our Heavenly Father in order to be most effective in dealing with those who are immature and that can be a challenging task at times.

Each of us are stewards at some level.  There are some who have much responsibility and others who have just a little.  No matter what we have been given we should be grateful and take our stewardship seriously.  As we do, FATHER will raise us up to a greater degree.  However we are warned against claiming ownership or authorship for we have originated nothing by ourselves.  We are simply stewards of all we possess.

By THE SPIRIT Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians chapter 8:

1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.

2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.

3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.

We must be cautious about obtaining knowledge of a subject because the ego will use that knowledge to belittle others and exalt oneself.  This leads to arrogance or becoming “self-important” in one’s eyes.  Instead of focusing and excelling in knowledge, let us excel in Love for it builds up others.  If we come off as being arrogant toward another person then they tend to reject any wisdom and/or understanding we have to offer.  But if we Love that person then they are drawn to us and want to know what we have that is missing in their life.  Often a humble heart will help more than a proud mind.

4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.

5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords),

6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

We know there is only ONE CREATOR and only one Lord Jesus Christ for FATHER has opened our eyes to HIS Wisdom and understanding concerning this mystery of life.  Yet we must not belittle those who are blinded by this Truth for our responsibility is to be a light unto them thus providing them the opportunity to see.  This is what Love does.  We must not beat people over the head with The Word but instead let our lives be The Word unto them.  The stronger must minister to the weaker rather than exalt oneself with puffed up knowledge.

Some people use false humility as a subtle means to exalt themselves above others.  It is as though they want to entrap the weaker into a snare of ignorance.  We must walk in Love so that what we know becomes palatable to those who need to hear FATHER’S Wisdom, understanding, and knowledge.  Love brings forth the skill required.

7 However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.

8 But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.

9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.

10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols?

11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.

13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

The overall point is that we must be sensitive to others in where they are at in their walk.  Loves intends no harm to others.  Those who are weak have idols which we know have no real existence even though they perceive them as being real and effective in their lives.  There are those who abstain from certain foods because of their belief.  Do not offend or belittle them but minister Love instead.  FATHER knows the key to opening their understanding and will provide you that opportunity if you Love them as HE does.  At some point they will enquire about your walk which will provide the opportunity to “enlighten” them and lift them up to a higher state of revelation of FATHER and HIS Most Holy Son Jesus Christ.  When they receive this revelation they will shed their idol worship and be set free.

By THE SPIRIT it is written in Hebrews chapter 7:

14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest

16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life.

17 For He testifies:

​​​“You are a priest forever

​​According to the order of Melchizedek.”

​18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness,

19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

Unconditional Love is the determining factor of whether you live your life focused on the outward or inward.  Most everyone can love on a conditional basis because it requires performance to be satisfied.  “If, then” are the two words that often accompany the conditional relationship.   “If you love me then you will do this or that.”  If is a life of conditions.

When Jesus arrived on the scene, He brought forth a higher realm of Love- Agape Love, or unconditional Love.  His ministry was not based on the Levitical priesthood which included the 613 commandments and statutes but only included two spoken by Him in Matthew chapter 22:

37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

The entire Scripture is fulfilled by these two commandments of Love.  Both of these commandments focus on the internal motivation within us rather than the outward conformity to a list of do’s and don’ts.  Since there are only two commandments to follow, the mind is not required to be in command and memorize all the details of the Law.  Our spirit knows the difference between walking in Love and walking based on performance which ultimately results in manipulation and enslavement.

Ultimately the outward responds to the inward.  If you do not walk in Love, you will eventually revert back to the old man and take on the lusts thereof, often in a most subtle fashion.  We must remain vigilant in our walk thus we must look into the mirror and do a critical assessment of our fruit.  Are we producing fruit unto life or are we promoting death and destruction?  The children of Israel could not enter the Promised Land because of the unbelief even though they saw miracles daily.  Joshua and Caleb had the inward witness of receiving the promise but only after the unbelief was removed from their midst.  Let each of us focus on changing the inward and then we will see the fruit in an outward fashion.

By THE SPIRIT Paul wrote in Romans chapter 6:

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

21 Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death.

22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Each of us has a choice: to follow the path of the world or that of FATHER.  We become devoted as a slave to that path we choose and take on its benefits or repercussions which impacts ourselves and others as well.  Paul understood the two paths all too well as he was “all in” to whatever path he chose.

As we become enslaved to FATHER simply by submitting our will to HIS, one can hardly view this path as enslavement but rather a privilege to serve THE CREATOR of Heaven and earth.  I can tell you that the Love and peace of this path versus the other can hardly be compared.  Does this mean we don’t face challenges in our walk?  Not at all.  Being HIS instruments on this earth brings forth the fruit of righteousness and promotes life to those around us.  Believe me, they are in need of light as the world moves toward gross darkness.

In Galatians chapter 5 Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT:

1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage

Being a “slave” to FATHER is actually liberty and freedom from the yoke of bondage.  We are free from the entanglements of the world which no longer have an effect on our lives for they no longer have the appeal they once had.  Having peace in our hearts is priceless when you consider those who are plagued by fear and insecurity.  Men attempt to drown their sorrows with drink or deaden their senses with drugs because they simply want to escape the reality of their enslavement to the world.  Their solution is one Word away and FATHER is preparing those who follow HIS path to be a light to those in bondage to the world.  We are to carry that Word to those in need.

As we come into full maturity we will produce all the fruit of THE SPIRIT:

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

As we follow the path of righteousness disregarding our own will and fully submitting to FATHER’S Will, we will produce the fruit in abundance and those we encounter will eat of this fruit.  Within the fruit are seeds of righteousness being sown into their lives which in turn will begin to produce fruit in like manner.  The law of seedtime and harvest will do its role in spreading the very Good News and the Kingdom of Heaven will begin to overtake the world and as it does “THY Kingdom come”.  Let each of us choose to submit to life and its abundance.