Daily Bread 7-3-17
2 Peter 1:8,9
8 For if those things be in you, and abound, that make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
ref. - 1 Jn 2:9 - He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
1 Jn 1:7 - But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
If we have escaped the corruption that is in the world. If we have diligence, faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity. If we have these things not on us, but in us. Not because we have to have them but because they are a part of our hearts, minds, and souls, the word of God says that we will be fruitful in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. But we must ask ourselves; Where am I weak in these things? What do I need to work on? You see, these things are gifts that are freely given by Jesus Christ. He was an example of these gifts so we know that he possesses them. We can't work at it or learn how to do it, it must be given of God for it to last. Too many make a decision to seek after these things and end up trying to use the methods taught by carnal earthly instructors to achieve them. What is received is only temporary and the proverbial "dog returns to his own vomit". To receive the true help that we need we must look only one way and that is up. If we want to know how Christ could go through the things that he went through or how he was able to do what he did we must become like minded and possess the same Spirit. We must be driven by the same motives and goals. We must be like him. If any one man thinks that he can do this with the ways of the world, he is mistaken and blind. This gift can only come from God. If we walk around with hate in our hearts toward our brother, then the word of God says that we are blind. So, we can put on the "holy" act all that we want but if there is hatred still in us, we don't truly know Christ. But if we pray for the gifts to understand Christ and this gospel, and we don't give up, we will soon know why and how he did what he did. If we have fellowship one with another and are able to see each other eye to eye, then we are drawing closer to the understanding that God tells us that he will put in us. When we are angry or in disagreement with one of our brothers we need to look back and remember what we were forgiven of. We just realize that these men and women are eligible for the same forgiveness that we once needed. They, too, in order to attain the knowledge and the strength that they need to please God, must receive the gift. There is no amount of repentance or work that they can do to make up for what they have done or are doing, it must be forgiven of them, just as Christ forgave us. We may not like the sound of that but, just as we were and many times still are in deep need of forgiveness, and may have had one foot in hell, Christ came down and saved us just like they need. He forgave us. He may have corrected us and we may have had to change our ways but he forgave us nonetheless. This is the same heart that we need in order not to become covetous of our brothers or hateful toward them. Let us take the Spiritual blinders off by seeking the gift in prayer that has and will help millions of souls to reach their heavenly reward; Knowledge in Jesus Christ!!!! Pray without ceasing brothers! Pray fervently in the Spirit! Receive the gift and know who, why, what, and where Jesus Christ is!!! He is the gateway to all things!!! Have a great day!!!