<5384> =  27 Bible Texts

When the logical conclusion is if you have to go to God and obtain Agape, Agapous, Splandidlizo, Philios; then you don't already have it yourself, ( which is true because it is not of human origin ).  But it shoots down the concept "we are a loving people", "we are a loving church "      local congregations don't seem to cosy up to those comparisons.  It seems that the unspoken myth is that once we have the 28 we got it all.      

Such a message seems to disengenuiate the messenger from the folks being talked to.   I would love to find fellow SDA's interested in looking at the Bibles conditions, promises, and SOP's explanations; and taking this stuff to God and seeing what He wants to do in them.  It is the actual nature of our message.

The rapid baptism of candidates does not help, it brings people in so soon they have little time for growth, are given not enough instruction in what the character requirements of Heaven are from Scripture; and how to Biblically obtain them and follow Father God, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost, and once baptized are caused to feel that the juorney is done, instead of just begun.

facets of being complete in Christ

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. . . . And . . . thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Matthew 22:37-39. {AG 145.1}

The whole work of grace is one continual service of love, of self-denying, self-sacrificing effort. During every hour of Christ's sojourn upon the earth, the love of God was flowing from Him in irrepressible streams. All who are imbued with His Spirit will love as He loved. The very principle that actuated Christ will actuate them in all their dealing one with another. {AG 145.2}

This love is the evidence of their discipleship. . . . When men are bound together, not by force or self-interest, but by love, they show the working of an influence that is above every human influence. Where this oneness exists, it is evidence that the image of God is being restored in humanity, that a new principle of life has been implanted. It shows that there is power in the divine nature to withstand the supernatural agencies of evil, and that the grace of God subdues the selfishness inherent in the natural heart. {AG 145.3}

When self is merged in Christ, love springs forth spontaneously. The completeness of Christian character is attained when the impulse to help and bless others springs constantly from within--when the sunshine of heaven fills the heart and is revealed in the countenance. {AG 145.4}

It is not possible for the heart in which Christ abides to be destitute of love. If we love God because He first loved us, we shall love all for whom Christ died. We cannot come in touch with divinity without coming in touch with humanity; for in Him who sits upon the throne of the universe, divinity and humanity are combined. Connected with Christ, we are connected with our fellow men by the golden links of the chain of love. Then the pity and compassion of Christ will be manifest in our life. . . . It will be as natural for us to minister to the needy and suffering as it was for Christ to go about doing good. {AG 145.5}, {COL p-384-385} 

The law of God requires that man shall love God supremely, and his neighbor as himself. When through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, this is perfectly done, we shall be complete in Christ. {AG 145.6}

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Matthew Chapter 22 37-39 (Mark 12:30, 31; Luke 10:27; Colossians 2:10). Complete in Christ.-- The law of God requires that man shall love God supremely, and his neighbor as himself. When through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, this is perfectly done, we shall be complete in Christ (Letter 11, 1892). {5BC 1097.8}

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There is nothing the Lord has more frequently told us He would bestow upon us, and nothing by which His name would be more glorified in bestowing, than the Holy Spirit. When we partake of this Spirit, men and women will be born again. There will be a firm pressing together. A firm, unwavering faith in God will be seen. The Sun of Righteousness will be in our midst, with healing in His wings. Souls once lost will be found, and brought back and kept by the power of God, through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time.--Letter 105, 1898, pp. 3, 4, 7. (To S. N. Haskell and wife, November 28, 1898.) {7MR 388.5}

When we reflect Christ's image, we shall love one another as He has loved us. We shall not love as we love our neighbor, but as Christ loved us. It is an advance to love as Christ loved. This is the perfection of Christian character. When we can say, My will is wholly submerged in God's will, then peace and rest come in. {7MR 389.1}

We must have that love, else we cannot be perfect before God. We may be active, we may do much work, but unless we love as Christ loved, our candlestick will be removed out of its place. . . . {7MR 389.2}

We have little enough of Christ's character. We need it all through our ranks, We must reveal that love which dwelt in Jesus. Then we shall keep the commandment [that we love one another], which not one in a hundred of those who claim to believe the truth for this time are keeping. . . . {7MR 389.3}

Perfect unity must exist in a diversity of gifts. A union of all the gifts is essential. The one great commandment Christ has given is a new commandment. It reaches beyond loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. We are to love one another, "as I," said Christ, "have loved you." This experience must be obtained by every child of God. All must blend together in the work, thus making the work not onesided, but a complete whole.--Letter 121, 1898, pp. 6-8. (To S. N. Haskell and wife, December 12, 1898.) {7MR 389.4}

character and wrought out in good works. The principles of the gospel cannot be disconnected from any department of practical life. Every line of Christian experience and labor is to be a representation of the life of Christ. {COL 384.1 }

Love is the basis of godliness

. Whatever the profession, no man has pure love to God unless he has unselfish love for his brother. But we can never come into possession of this spirit by trying to love others. What is needed is the love of Christ in the heart. When self is merged in Christ, love springs forth spontaneously. The completeness of Christian character is attained when the impulse to help and bless others springs constantly from within--when the sunshine of heaven fills the heart and is revealed in the countenance.

{COL 384.2}

It is not possible for the heart in which Christ abides to be destitute of love.

If we love God because He first loved us, we shall love all for whom Christ died. We cannot come in touch with divinity without coming in touch with humanity; for in Him who sits upon the throne of the universe, divinity and humanity are combined. Connected with Christ, we are connected with our fellow men by the golden links of the chain of love. Then the pity and compassion of Christ will be manifest in our life. We shall not wait to have the needy and unfortunate brought to us. We shall not need to be entreated to feel for the woes of others. It will be as natural for us to minister to the needy and suffering as it was for Christ to go about doing good.

{COL 384.3}"

This caught my attention, I read it over and over , I would bookmark it and read it repeatedly and ask to be empowered to soak it in to have my understanding open to grasp it. This is what I must have ....here it was .....written in my language .......plainly spoken

Daniel prayed 3 times a day and I will tell the process that was opening to my mind in the next installment ........

to be continued.......

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( I didn't know to do it or how to go about it then, but did do a Strong's number search with Bible software <25> <26> pulling up all the texts and ignoring the translators definitions (too watered down and biased ). Good preperation to examine - what moved the humanity of Jesus - even though HE HIMSELF SAID - "I of mine own self can do nothing" . Where did He get <25> <26> because He was forbidden to pull it from His Divine Christ nature - His eternal SELF - His Godhood was 100% off limits for Him to use in however He had to live as one of us.

So my quandry was that Jesus is shown in Scripture over and over - loving the sinner though He knows all about the sinner inside and out, always moved with superhuman uncorrupted compassion. This did not come from His Godhood, it did not come from innate humanity - (seed of Abraham), so where and how did He get it ? The Scripture was brought to memory...."AS I LIVE BY MY FATHER....that's where He got it but then how do I get it ?? Memory continued ....."whoso eateth...thats what I want His life in me - but how ......live by me John 6:54-57.

Now I saw the beginning of the answer - get <25> <26> as a gift that every believer is expected to go to God and lawfully obtain that through what ever God's process was to get it .

But I was not sure of the process needed to get it, I assumed prayer ..... so I started praying ....and continued reading the inspired things God had said.

I found other quotes about God's views of the purpose of what He calls love in the gospel process of internally recreating the believer.

" Love to man is the earthward manifestation of the love of God. It was to implant this love, to make us children of one family, that the King of glory became one with us. And when His parting words are fulfilled, "Love one another, as I have loved you" (John 15:12); when we love the world as He has loved it, then for us His mission is accomplished. We are fitted for heaven; for we have heaven in our hearts. {DA 641.3}"

"The soul of the prophet, emptied of self, was filled with the light of the divine. As he witnessed to the Saviour's glory, his words were almost a counterpart of those that Christ Himself had spoken in His interview with Nicodemus. John said, "He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: He that cometh from heaven is above all. . . . For He whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him." Christ could say, "I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent Me." John 5:30. To Him it is declared, "Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows." Heb. 1:9. The Father "giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him." {DA 180.1}

So with the followers of Christ. We can receive of heaven's light only as we are willing to be emptied of self. We cannot discern the character of God, or accept Christ by faith, unless we consent to the bringing into captivity of every thought to the obedience of Christ. To all who do this the Holy Spirit is given without measure. In Christ "dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and in Him ye are made full.

" Col. 2:9, 10, R. V. {DA 181.1}"

Along with this 2nd Corinthians 10:3-6 and Ephesians 3:14-21 (reading KJV) was jumping out at me as I read them - in reinforcement of DA 181 quote.

I kept on asking Jesus to tutor me.......and so He was........testimony concluded next post

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Things I was reading in Steps to Christ p-94-99 convinced me that prayer and acting on what was prayed was the basic nature of the process. Below the line is offered as both the basic process I learned to follow, and can be freely used as a printout witnessing handout by anyone - freely received - freely give - this concludes the testimony - ment to inspire hope - God convicts a person to elicit heartfelt interchange.

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I found the way to get the attitude of the "golden rule" implanted in me. It is not something any person either has or does not have, it is a gift from above. Therefore anyone can get it if they do these basic things.

1. Ask for it in prayer several times a day (even quietly from the heart while working - without speaking-Heaven hears)

2. Pray till you really want it, at first it is usually prayed without much desire to get it, prayer changes the person

praying - the concept "fake it till you make it" - works. Keep asking till it is desired and it happens.

3. Act as though you have it already, after asking for it, the Red Sea and the Jordan River didn't open till people stepped into the edge of the H20.

4. If you have a family, get them all joining you in asking, and acting on it; everyone will get the similar attitude = happy family unity - otherwise only you will get the attitude and they won't = family disunity.

This is generically what I asked for after reading the quote below.

Please cause my self to be merged in Christ, please implant and cultivate

( In Conclusion )

Agape and it's derivations does not replace the need for and specific focus given by the Bible's doctrines. Without obedience all forms of indwelling love erode, and leave the person as the presence of the Holy Ghost and His work is quenched. Without truthful doctrines there is no common ground of obedience and harmony with the source of truth.

Truth is more than an attitude or honesty, it is also faithful absolutes of reality, for the Creator of Truth is also the Creator of Reality. Truth is a function of Who the Creator is, and the functions of the absolutes of reality; but too often we are not looking or do not comprehend either with the heart or mind or conscience. Too often the reasons are disobedience due to rejection of some facet(s) of God's truths and love, in favor of some other cherished idol(s) following misplacing affections upon them .

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Quote

Among the Jews was a remembrance made of sins every year, and they felt that sin needed a fresh sacrifice. Sins forgiven in Christ are remembered no more. Saith God, "I will remember their sin no more" (Jer. 31:33). The Lord accepts the sinner that comes to Him in contrition, repenting of His sins; and treats Him just as if he were innocent. Again, He says our sins are covered. Will the youth think seriously and begin to inquire, What shall I do to be saved? "Behold! The Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). The more your mind is educated and trained to think of Jesus, to talk of Jesus, the less power will Satan have over your mind. He cannot bear to belong in the company of those who will meditate upon the love of God, and Jesus Christ.--Letter 43, 1892, pp. 5,6. (To Elder S. N. Haskell, Sept. 18, 1892.) {11MR 364.1}

The obvious question is then - how do I educate and train my mind to - think & talk about Jesus, and Heaven's Principles & teachings, and the love of God ?

1. First ask Jesus to set up a personalized education, tutoring, training program for you personally. Every mind, heart, life has it's differences and different needs, Jesus and Father God and the Holy Ghost knows them all.  

2. Second Ask Jesus to grasp and hold your interest in learning how to do your part in educating and training your mind to - think & talk about Jesus, and Heaven's Principles & teachings, and the love of God - so that you wont give it up before He has time to produce results in you.

3. Third - this kind of stuff is in the Bible & SOP, lead me to what is written there to teach me to educate and train my mind and cause it to "jump out at me" so plainly that I will not miss it.

4. Fourth - ask Jesus to give you the "vital transfusion" of Himself that will enable and move you to act on what you learn, and awaken trust that He will not only empower and motivate you, but finish what He starts.    Use EGW CDRom disk or EGW Estate search engine, look up "vital transfusion" . 

5. Fifth - Recognize that our hearts and minds are by nature carnal, we WILL rebel against God and His Love expressed through ALL His Doctrines ( Teachings ), during this process several times and in different spots along the way, your heart will scream NO I REFUSE to give it up, I refuse to surrender and follow THAT, God can not mean THAT............... reduce your prayer focus to that one issue, ask for conversion RE that thing or things, ask to be lead to Bible & SOP promises that convict, promise punishment toward those things on one hand, Bible & SOP promises that promise healing of those sins on the other hand and recovery from them and a replacing of them with Gods good choices for you, in their place .

The whole nature of what I learned that was already present in The Bible & SOP that outlines and explains this process :

Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospels, the same shall save it.

36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Fathers, and of the holy angels.

Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Looking up words and terms in those verses, Bible & SOP plainly explain what a personal cross is, how to lift it, how to follow

Obtaining anything from God starts with realizing I don't have it but I am told in Scripture & SOP that I need it and must have it, and wanting it enough to become single minded vabout it.   Pray till the desire to have it builds so strongly that it's from the whole heart, plus ask to have the desire to obtain ABC....XYZ character facet from God put in you and imcreased day by day till I am so serious about getting it I am looked upon as seeking it with my whole heart and I will no longer hesitate to sell myself to God without conditions on Him coming from me.  

Deuteronomy 4:29  But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

Jeremiah 29:13  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Copied from my blog

part 1. 

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

To All who do this - nature of obtaining

 

When I hated the two leading my son astray, I was bitter, envious, malitious, unforgiving, enraged to name a few of the things boiling inside.

1. I could not force myself to change.

2. God convicted me of my sinful attitude and refusal to forgive.

3. He brought Bible promises, commands, admonitions, and SOP quotes to my memory.

4. conviction, repentance, forgiveness toward others and being forgiven are equally the work of the Holy Ghost and Christ's gifts sent down by the Holy Ghost.

5. Surrender by choosing to surrender, claim the promises, act on the words from God, find out what is expected and what is offered, put your self in the expected position to receive what is offered, then act like you have it , God will activate it when He's ready and you comply with His conditions and instructions .

So with the followers of Christ. We can receive of heaven's light only as we are willing to be emptied of self. We cannot discern the character of God, or accept Christ by faith, unless we consent to the bringing into captivity of every thought to the obedience of Christ. To all who do this the Holy Spirit is given without measure. In Christ "dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and in Him ye are made full." Col. 2:9, 10, R. V. {DA 181.1}

Acts 5:
31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

Till I repented of my bitter, envious, malitious, unforgiving, enraged attitude I did not want to forgive and was unable to forgive. So I had to break the total problem down into seperate but linked steps, and pray and decide / surrender at each point and ask God to make each cure happen - bitterness ( ask God to lead me to His cure in Scripture & SOP, then work in me to be made willing and able and actually repent and apply the cure in me and to my attitude & behaviour.)

bitter, envious, malitious, unforgiving, enraged was broken down into seperate but linked steps in a cure for a larger problem, once these were done - I asked for Agape, Agapous, Philios - toward them so that I could never - hate & have bitterness, enviousness, malitiousness, unforgivingness, rage - toward them again ever as long as my physical lifespan continued, but rather to love them in my sphere as He does in His. With His Agape, Agapous, Philios ( He did over time )

Un-forgiveness ceased to be there toward them any more, because I asked Jesus to tutor me step by step through His curative process, and chose to submit myself to Him in this.

 

Posted by Ed Sutton at 11:14 AM