Seven Pillars

5-12-06

Love – Sacrifice of self for God foremost and then your neighbor (Deut 6:5, Mt 22:37-39, Mk 12:29-31, Lk 10:27, 1 Cor 8:3, 1 Jn 4:7) - the royal law. Our obedience to God is our love toward God (Jn 14:15, 21, 23-24, 15:10, 1 Jn 5:2-3, 2 Jn 1:6). Jesus said: John 15:12, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you (also Jn 13:35).” AND John 15:17, “These things I command you, that ye love one another.” God first loved us and sent His Son to die for us (Jn 3:16, Rm 5:5, 8, 1 Jn 3:16, 4:19). Love worketh no ill to his neighbour (Rm 13:10. 1 John 5:2, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.” God is love (1 Jn 4:7-8, 16)! God’s mercy is found in our love toward Him: Exodus 20:6, “And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments (also Deut 5:10).” The Lord says: Proverbs 8:17, “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” faith which worketh by love (Gal 5:6). Joshua 23:11, “Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God.” The Lord loves with an everlasting love (Jer 31:3). Jude 1:21, “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Love never fails (1 Cor 13:8). Mercy – Mercy is God’s forgiveness and grace whereby the Holy Spirit dwells in you and works God’s purposes through your faith (Gal 3:14, 5:5). God’s grace teaches us to be righteousness and holy (Lk 1:75, Rm 5:21, 6:19, 22, 2 Cor 7:1, Ti 2:11-14, Eph 4:24, 1 Thess 4:7, Heb 12:14). The Spirit of Grace leads us to live God’s will and changes us into the image of Christ (Jn 14:26, 15:26, Rm 8:11, 1 Cor 6:11, 2 Cor 3:3, 18, Eph 3:16, 1 Jn 2:27, 3:24). In mercy shall the throne be established (Is 16:5). Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” We are redeemed and made nigh (peace and reconciliation) to God through Christ’s blood (Rm 3:25, 5:9, Eph 1:7, Col 1:14, 20, Heb 9:12, 14, 13:12, 1 Pt 1:2, 1 Jn 1:7, Rev 1:5, 5:9). God is a meciful God (Deut 4:31, Ps 103:8, 116:5, Lk 6:36, Heb 2:17, 8:12)! 1 Chronicles 16:34, “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.” AND Psalms 118:4, “Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endureth for ever.” God’s throne is upheld in mercy (Pv 20:28, Is 16:5). Luke 6:36, “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.”

5-12-06 Judgment - Involves the ability to come to a wise decision. Scriptures say of the Lord: Proverbs 8:20, “I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment.” True wisdom and righteous judgment leads us to freely love, surrender to, obey, trust and be devoted to God (faith). True wisdom and righteous judgment also leads us to depart from all evil and anything that opposes or is contrary to God (Pv 16:17). Job 28:28, “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” The Lord says: God loves judgment! Psalms 37:28, “For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.” AND Psalms 33:5, “He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.” Those who “fear God” also “know” God: Jeremiah 9:24, “But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD (also Ps 9:16, 19:9).” God loves judgment and is a God of judgment (Is 30:18, 61:8, Ps 33:5, 37:28)! Psalms 97:2, “Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.” Psalms 111:7, “The works of his hands are verity (truth) and judgment; all his commandments are sure.” Psalms 9:7, “But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.” The Lord will establish the kingdom of God with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever (Is 9:7).” Righteousness - Purity of heart and rectitude of life and conformity of heart and life to the divine law; doing the will of God; walking in faith (Ps 106:3, Mk 3:35, 7:21, 12:50, Lk 11:28, Jn 9:39, 1 Jn 2:17). The Lord he leads in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake (Ps 23:3, 37:6, 85:13, Pv 8:20, 11:5). We must hunger and thirst after righteousness (Mt 5:6). We must seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness (Mt 6:33). Our faith (love surrender, obedience, devotion, trust toward God) is our righteousness before God (Rm 1:17, 3:22, 4:5, 9, 11, 13, 9:30, 10:6, Gal 5:5, Php 3:9, Heb 11:7, 2 Pt 1:1). He that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous (1 Jn 3:7). God judges according to righteousness (Ps 7:11, 9:8, 35:24, 72:2, 94:15, 96:13, 98:9, 103:6, Is 11:4, Rm 2:5, 2 Thess 1:5, Rev 16:7). For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness (Ps 11:7, 33:5, 45:7, Pv 15:9). Psalms 145:17, “The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” This is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS (Jer 23:6). The LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth (Dan 9:14). The Lord is the King of righteousness (Heb 7:2). Hebrews 1:8-9, “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows (also Ps 45:6-7).” The Lord speaks righteousness and declares the things that are right (Is 45:19). His Word goes out of His mouth in righteousness (Is 45:23). The Lord says: “My righteousness shall not be abolished (Is 51:6). AND My righteousness shall be forever (Is 51:8). Truth - God’s commandments are truth (Ps 119:151). God’s law is truth (Ps 119:142)! John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” Psalms 33:4, “For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.” God’s Word is the truth (2 Cor 6:7, Eph 1:13, Col 1:5, 2 Tim 2:15, Js 1:18). Psalms 119:89, “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” The Word of our God shall stand forever (Is 40:8). Psalms 119:160, “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.” God sends forth His mercy and truth (Ps 57:3). Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ (Jn 1:17, Eph 4:21). John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” The Holy Spirit is truth (Jn 14:17, 15:26, 16:13, 1 Jn 5:6). For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth (Eph 5:9). Jesus said: “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Mt 4:4, Lk 4:4).” Psalms 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Man must come to the knowledge of God’s truth and walk therein. 1 Timothy 2:4, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” AND 2 Timothy 2:25, “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.” John 8:31-32, “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” From the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth (2 Thess 2:13) AND Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit (1 Pt 1:22). Man will be judged by God’s truth – Christ’s Words (Jn 12:48). There will be judgment unto truth (Is 42:3). Psalms 96:13, “Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.” We must walk before God in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart (1 Kgs 3:6, Ps 15:2, 85:10-11). The LORD liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness (Jer 4:2) - I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness (Zech 8:8). The Lord is a God of truth (Is 65:16). If you are not found in God’s truth, then you are not found in God. Jesus is holy and true (Rev 3:7, 6:10). Jesus is also faithful and true (Rev 3:14, 19:11, 21:5, 22:6). Just and true are thy ways (Rev 15:3). Meekness – Forbearance under injuries, self denial (placing others ahead), longsuffering, gentleness, humility, lowliness, and submission to God’s will. We are told: Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” The meek of heart will hear and apply what the Lord teaches them (2 Tim 2:25). Psalms 25:9, “The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.” Psalms 37:11, “But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” The Lord watches over the meek: Psalms 76:9, “When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.” Jesus is meek! Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls (also 2 Cor 10:1).” AND Matthew 21:5, “Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass (and Zech 9:9).” Jesus, as a man, demonstrated “perfect” meekness. Christ was born in the most humbling of circumstances. Scriptures reveal of Christ: “LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek (Is 61:1, Lk 4:18).” Jesus bear the iniquities of man (that we should live unto righteousness) and suffered man’s condemnation (Is 53:1-12, 1 Pt 2:24). God is longsuffering (Ex 34:6, Num 14:18, Ps 86:15, Rm 2:4, 9:22, Gal 5:22, 1 Pt 3:20, 2 Pt 3:9, 15)! God forbears the injuries of others (Rm 2:4, 3:25, 9:22, Is 53:7, Acts 8:32)! Therefore, God is meek! The Lord says: Psalms 45:4, “And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.” We must be meek if we want to inherit the kingdom of God: Colossians 3:12-13, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” AND We are to: Ephesians 4:2, “With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.” We are told to follow after meekness (1 Tim 6:11). The meek shall have everlasting life: Psalms 149:4, “For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.” Zephaniah 2:3, “Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger. Meekness is an eternal and enduring quality (Is 57:15. Holiness – Purity, freedom from sin, perfect, being Holy. God sitteth upon the throne of His holiness (Ps 47:8, 48:1, 60:6). Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty (Is 6:3, Rev 4:8). God’s name is Holy and He dwells in the high and Holy place (Is 57:15). God is the Holy One of Israel (Is 41:16, 20). The Holy Spirit is referred to as the Spirit of holiness (Rm 1:4). We are called unto holiness: 1 Peter 1:15-16, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” Jesus said: Matthew 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Hebrews 12:14, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” We are to be partakers of His holiness (Heb 12:10). 1 Thessalonians 4:7, “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” AND Romans 6:19, “I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.” AND Romans 6:22, “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” We are to perfect holiness in the fear of God (2 Cor 7:1). We are told to serve Him: Luke 1:75, “In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.” 1 Thessalonians 3:13, “To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.” Since God is Holy, holiness is and eternal and enduring characteristic. Jesus is holy and true (Rev 3:7, 6:10).

5-12-06

Abandon all hope

Hatred – The opposite of love. The sacrifice of God and your neighbors for the benefit of self. Hatred always seeks self at the expense of another. This canon of hatred is the opposite of Christ’s two great commandments of love (Deut 6:5, Mt 22:37-39, Mk 12:29-31, Lk 10:27, 1 Cor 8:3, 1 Jn 4:7). This is to walk in envy, strife, contention. Those that are proud no nothing, but only bring about envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings and denial of the truth (1 Tim 6:4-5) – such things lie against the truth (Js 3:14). This is to do unto others to realize your will/gain. Proverbs 29:22, “An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.” AND Proverbs 28:25, “He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife…” AND Proverbs 17:19, “He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.” James 3:16, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” We are told: Philippians 2:3, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” Those who are carnal and walk after the flesh produce envying, strifes and division (1 Cor 3:3). The Lord says: Leviticus 19:17, “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.” Those who walk in love do not desire evil upon another (witchcraft). 1 John 2:9, 11, “He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.” Furthermore: 1 John 3:15, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” The devil is a murderer and so are those who follow him (Jn 8:44). The devil disregarded God and all creation in order to seek his will (Is 14:12-17). The devil led man to transgress God’s will in Eden, knowing that it would produce misery and death. Seeking self is disregard of God and hatred toward God. Disregard of God’s commandments is hatred toward God. 1 John 4:20, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” The Lord says: Proverbs 8:36, “But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.”

5-12-06 Unmerciful – Not forgiving, unkind, cruel, hardened. The Lord God has freely provided forgiveness to us for a debt that we could not pay. This forgiveness was obtained at great sacrifice of God (Jn 3:16). We are also expected to walk in God’s nature and must be forgiving. Jesus told a great parable to this effect (Mt 18:23-35). Matthew 6:15, “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (also Mk 11:26).” We are told: Matthew 5:7, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” To be merciless is to obtain no mercy. James 2:13, “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.” Psalms 18:25-26, “With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself forward (also 2 Sam 22:26).” To be unmerciful is to oppress others (such as the poor, Pv 14:31). The tender mercies of the wicked are cruel (Pv 12:10). Proverbs 11:17, “The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.” The unmerciful will not inherit the kingdom of God (Rm 1:29-32). He that does not follow after mercy findeth death (Pv 21:21). Foolishness – Walking contrary to the dictates of wisdom; choosing the wrong course of action; wrong/corrupt judgment; folly. Psalms 14:1, “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good (also Ps53:1). Some may consider that there is a God, but deny Him through their daily actions. Man chose very foolishly (Pv 1:7) in following the devil in the garden of Eden (that which opposes God). Wisdom is to fear God and depart from evil (Job 28:28, Ps 111:10, Pv 8:13, Pv 3:7, 16:6, 17, 34:14, 37:27). Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” AND Proverbs 14:16, “A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.” Foolishness would be to disregard God (seeking self) and embrace evil (that which is contrary to God). For example, foolishness would be to sit in front of the television set taking pleasure in unrighteousness. Wisdom leads us to seek God first in everything we do. Foolishness leads one into seeking self at all cost (including God and neighbor). Foolishness leads one into wicked and evil behavior. Even so: Proverbs 12:15, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes…” AND It is abomination to fools to depart from evil. (Pv 13:19). However, they do not see clearly (Jer 5:21). This is because: Proverbs 18:2, “A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.” Isaiah 5:21, “Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” Be warned: Proverbs 28:26, “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool…” The foolish man lacks good judgment. Proverbs 28:5, “Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.” The foolish do not seek after or think upon God (Pv 10:4). Therefore, the foolish man reproacheth God daily (Ps 74:22). There is no “fear of God” with the wicked, and neither do they abhorreth evil (Ps 36:1, 4). Fools walk in darkness (Eccl 2:14). The Lord says of foolish men: they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge (Jer 4:22). AND They know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God (Jer 5:4). Foolishness is marked by following self rather than God (Ez 13:3). Proverbs 14:2, “He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.” AND Proverbs 19:3, “The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.” Let us understand: 1 Corinthians 3:19, “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.” All foolishness shall be put down. The thought of foolishness is sin (Pv 24:9). Foolishness is the opposite of judgment and when the wicked doth compass about the righteous wrong judgment proceedeth (Hab 1:4). Unrighteousness – To live contrary to the will of God (every transgression); disobedience to God’s commandments. All unrighteousness is sin (1 Jn 5:17). The devil appeals to man’s lusts and desires to foster continued transgression to the will/commandments of God. The unrighteous are lawless and disobedient, ungodly, sinners, unholy, profane, murderers and contrary to the truth (1 Tim 1:9-10). We are told very plainly: 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” An unrighteous man seeks first the lusts and desires of the flesh. An unrighteous man loves self with all his heart, mind, soul and strength. An unrighteous man does not “fear” God, but may fear the thought of hell. The unrighteous are rebellious and will not hear the commandments of God (Is 30:9). The Lord says: Isaiah 65:2-3, “I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts; A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face…” The devil’s desire is to keep man in rebellion to God. The unrighteous have a revolting and a rebellious heart (Jer 5:23). For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness (to do God’s will) is as iniquity and idolatry (1 Sam 15:23). Psalms 9:8, “And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.” God hates unrighteousness (Ps 11:7). The Lie – Violation of the truth; deceitful. The devil is the author of the lie that you can sin against God and not die. God told man that if he ate from the forbidden tree that, “thou shalt surely die (Gen 2:17). The devil told man that he could eat from the forbidden tree (transgress God’s will) and “ye shall not surely die (Gen 3:4).” The devil lied (Jn 8:44)! No lie is of the truth (1 Jn2:21). The devil changed the truth of God into a lie (Rm 1:25). The devil led man to trust in a lie and taught man rebellion against God (Jer 28:15-16, 29:31-32). The truth is that God is sovereign over His creation and that man must surrender to and obey God. Obedience to the will of God results life and disobedience to the will of God results in death – an eternal truth/fact. The devil taught man to seek his will over God’s will – to be as gods (Gen 3:5). Jesus came to destroy this lie or work of the devil (Heb 2:14, 1 Jn 3:8). The working of Satan is with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness (2 Thess 2:10-12). This lie is darkness to the light of God’s truth. Those who love the darkness walk in the devil’s lie (Jn 3:19). To love darkness is to walk contrary to the will of God. The Lord says: Revelation 21:8, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” AND Revelation 22:14-15, “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” These verses are alluding to those who follow the devil in the tenets of his lie. Satans lie shall not stand! Proverbs 12:22, “Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.” Pride – The exaltation of self – thine heart is lifted up; failure to recognize God in one’s accomplishments. Proverbs 21:4, “An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.” Jeremiah 48:29-30, “We have heard the pride of Moab (symbolic of Lucifer, Is 14:12-17), (he is exceeding proud) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart (also Is 16:6).” I know his wrath, saith the LORD; but it shall not be so; his lies shall not so effect it. Pride says, “I WILL…for my glory. Consider Satan: Ezekiel 28:15-17, “Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.” The Lord said of the devil: thine heart is lifted up, and thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man, and not God, though thou set thine heart as the heart of God (Ez 28:2). The prideful are concerned with self. Psalms 10:4, “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.” These are self-centered rather than God-centered. These seek their “own way/will” and walk comfortably in the devil’s lie presuming that they can disobey God and that they will surely not die. Pride is an abomination (something hated) to God. Proverbs 16:5, “Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.” AND Proverbs 8:13, “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.” When pride cometh, then cometh shame (Pv 11:2). Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” The Lord will abase the proud in heart (Mt 23:12) - A man's pride shall bring him low (Pv 29:23, Is 2:12, 13:11). God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble (Job 40:11-12, Js 4:6, 1 Pt 5:5) - a proud heart will not I suffer (Ps 101:5) - scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts (Lk 1:51). To be lifted up with pride is to fall into the condemnation of the devil (1 Tim 3:6). The proud do not inherit the kingdom of God (Rm 1:29-32). Malachi 4:1, “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.”

5-12-06 Wickedness – Evil disposition or practices; living outside the will of God (neglecting fear and worship of God); evil; corrupt; perverse; wrong; ungodly; sinful; failure to comply with God’s commands (froward – not willing to yield or comply with what is required); disobedient; peevish (apt to mutter or complain). Psalms 5:4, “For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.” The Lord’s Holy Spirit will not dwell within those who are not submitted to God. Saul would not obey God’s explicit directions (rather doing his own), so the Lord took His Spirit from Him and gave it to David, a man who would obey (1 Sam 16:13-14). Proverbs 11:20, “They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight (also Pv 3:32).” AND Proverbs 15:9, “The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness (also Pv 21:27).” AND The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD (Pv 15:26). The wicked hate God because of their disregard for His ways. AND Psalm 36:1, “The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.” They say: “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice? I know not the LORD (Ex 5:2, also Ps 10:4).” Therefore: Job 8:22, “They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought.” Psalms 7:11, “God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.” - the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth (Ps 11:5). The wicked shall be destroyed from the earth (Job 18:5, 21:30, 36:6, 38:13, Ps 9:17, 37:10, 20, 34, 38, 104:35, 112:10, Pv 2:22, 10:30, … etc.). Psalms 37:17, “For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous.” Salvation is far from the wicked (Ps 119:155). The wicked are confident, yet totally lost: Proverbs 4:19, “The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.” The Lord promises: The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him (Pv 10:24) - the expectation of the wicked is wrath (Pv 11:23). Isaiah 57:21, “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.”

The Kingdoms In considering the seven godly pillars above, we can note that God is the “I AM” of each of these characteristics (they are all intertwined) and thence these qualities are all eternal, established, and unchanging (Ps 100:5, 102:27, 119:89, 160, Heb 13:8). Malachi 3:6, “For I am the LORD, I change not…” Seven is the biblical number for completion (Gen 2:2-3). God is love, mercy, judgment, righteousness, truth, meekness and holiness and these characteristics are the foundation of the Lord’s kingdom. From this foundation we can derive, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, godliness, purity, prudence, temperance (self control), humbleness, happiness, contentment, joy, sacrifice, longsuffering, charity, compassion, forbearance, surrender and obedience to the will of God, etc. Jesus Christ was/is the personification of these characteristics and is the rock or foundation that must be built upon. 1 Corinthians 3:11, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Some may consider that faith should have been a pillar, however, faith is what man is required to live (though God is faithful). Faith is inclusive of these godly characteristics and the exercise (implementation, performance, demonstration) thereof.

If you desire to see the kingdom of God, then you must be “born again,” “renewed” or “re-created” (different terms for the same thing) to take on these qualities/nature. John 3:3, “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Being born as a citizen into the kingdom of God can only be done of God. John 1:12-13, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

A man must first sincerely repent of his wickedness (symbolized by water baptism, Mk 16:16) and then receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” All things in order: first repent and then receive the Spirit. John 3:5-6, “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John the Baptist said: Mark 1:8, “I indeed have baptized you with water (unto repentance for forgiveness of sins, Mt 3:11): but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost (the power to walk in God’s will).” Jesus first calls us unto repentance (Mt 4:17) and then imparts His Spirit upon our faith and obedience (Acts 2:33, 5:32,

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Gal 3:14, Rm 5:5). The Spirit instills God’s nature in our very hearts and leads us therein (1 Cor 3:3, Heb 8:10, 10:16). The Spirit works in us to bring forth acceptable fruit unto God. Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” AND Ephesians 5:9, “For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.”

Man’s nature is corrupt according to sin. Man transgressed the will of God by seeking the will of the flesh (its lusts and desires). Therefore, man does not naturally bring forth the fruit that God’s desires, namely the characteristics noted above. Jesus said: Matthew 7:17, “Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.” These evil fruits are the direct opposites of the godly fruit noted above (see kingdom of darkness chart). From this evil foundation springs forth all manner of wickedness: adultery, fornication, violence, envy, lusts, strife, sedition, jealousy, bitterness, unforgiveness, lying, deceit, witchcraft, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, inordinate affection, variance, emulations, wrath, heresies, murders, drunkenness, revellings, vileness, maliciousness, gossip, malignity, Backbiters, haters of God, disobedience, inventors of evil things, evil eye, imputent, stiffhearted, stubborn/obstinate, perversion, whorish heart, covetousness, etc. Those who walk in such things do not bring forth fruit unto God (they are an empty vine), but rather unto self (Hos 10:1).

You must therefore be “born again” of God with the Lord’s nature to enter into the kingdom of God. God doesn’t “reform” the old man – oh no, no, no, the old man must die. God creates a new man. 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” The old things relate to seeking the desires of the flesh rather than the will of God. We are talking about a complete change in your life! You must take on an opposite nature just as the pillars above are opposite. Galatians 5:24, “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh (put to death) with the affections and lusts.” Ephesians 4:24, “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Notice that this new man is in the image of God as man was originally created to be (prior to the fall and corruption of man; Gen 1:26-27). Colossians 3:10, “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” God’s image is found in love, mercy, judgment, righteousness, truth, meekness and holiness. The “new man” no longer seeks the things the “old man” did. The “old man” must die in you. Romans 6:6, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Ephesians 4:22, “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts (also Col 3:9).”

Following the flesh is retaining the corrupt nature and continuing on in transgression to the will of God. Romans 8:1-2, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Those who walk after the flesh are led in constant temptations of the devil (through their own lusts) unto sin and death (Js 1:13-15). These will realize God’s full condemnation of “thou shalt surely die (Gen 2:17).” Those led of the Spirit die to (crucify) the things of the flesh - the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the

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eyes, and the pride of life (1 Jn 2:15-17). 1 Peter 4:2, “That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” These fully realize God’s mercy and are pardoned from the condemnation of “thou shalt surely die.”

It was stated above: “as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God (Jn 1:12).” This power is the Holy Spirit working in you through your faith - that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith (Gal 3:14). Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you …” AND Luke 24:49, “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” Citizenship in the kingdom of God is not realized through human ability (pride – self exaltation), but through humbleness and submission to the will of God – being led of God. Romans 8:14-16, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Notice that “power to become the sons of God” = Holy Spirit = “as many as are led by the Spirit are the sons of God.”

One is born into the kingdom of God. Romans 8:15-16, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again (to the lusts of the flesh) to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” AND Galatians 4:3-6, “Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father (also Eph 1:5).”

God is the Father to those who do His will. Consider what Jesus said: Mark 3:32-35, “And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother (also Mt 12:47-50).” AND Luke 8:20-21, “And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.” Christ’s eternal family are those who submit to the will of God – they receive God’s Word and walk therein. The kingdom of heaven is one big family!

Therefore: 1 Peter 1:5, “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” The power of God is the Holy Spirit working in you through your faith (love, trust, devotion, surrender and obedience to God). So it can be said: 1 Corinthians 2:5, “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men (man’s ways – religious or whatever), but in the power of God (the Holy Ghost working in you).” This produces the fruit in you that God desires. It is God: Colossians 1:13, “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son (also Gal 1:4).” 1 Thessalonians 2:12, “That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.” - being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God (Col 1:10, Eph 1:4, 4:1).

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These gates of hell or principles of the world will not prevail (triumph, overcome) against Christ’s church (followers, disciples, called out ones, peculiar people, Mt 16:18). 1 John 5:4, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” Through faith, we die to the things of the world and walk in the nature of God. We are no longer led of the flesh, but are led of the Spirit. We are a special people unto God – those that choose the Lord over the desires of the flesh. 1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” Jesus gave Himself to make this happen: Titus 2:14, “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” By following and obeying the direction of the Spirit (i.e. faith), we are purified from the principles of the darkness.

Jesus said: Revelation 3:21, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Christ overcame and those who follow Him must overcome also – for this is where the Spirit is leading them. In conclusion, Revelation 21:7, “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” The Holy Spirit leads us to overcome so that we are the sons of God. The author has written five books and periodically writes other articles, tracts and books as the Lord puts them on his heart. These are offered free of charge and may be obtained by writing: 209 Cedar Pond Dr., Madison, Al. 35757