As if By Fire

 As If By Fire

Do you have rewards?

 

 

 

“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”—1 Cor. 3:13-15 (Chapter 3)

When God saves us. He saves us forever. I do not believe we can lose our salvation, and the scriptures do not teach that, despite any man made argument to the contrary.

If you know Him. If you are His. If you have turned to Him and asked Him to save you and confessed Him as your Lord. Then, He will not cast you away. He chastens us. He grows us. He breaks us and molds us. He refines us.

He does not cast us aside, because we broke one too many rules. Even if we reject Him. Still He is faithful and continues to keep His Word and do His work. (Romans 8:37-39. 1 Thess. 5: 20-24, 2 Thess. 3:3)

If we really know Him. If we have really given ourselves to Him. If we really confess Him as Lord. He accepts us and saves us forever. (Romans 10:9-10)

He saves us and starts working in us and through us. The law and any other rule becomes a guide for growth and confession. We are washed. We are clean. But, sometimes our feet get dirty in this world and need washed by confession to the Lord of sin. The laws help us to know what to clean and pray about for growth and healing. The Law shows us our sin, and we know what to confess to the Lord.

As we live in Christ, we are to be Spirit led. We are to turn to the Lord (repent) and let Him save us and grow us. We are to acknowledge Him in ALL our ways and He shall direct our paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6, Romans chapter 8)

This means that we are to listen to His Spirit, and when we do this He works in us and through us. So, our work and our life, and our following Him; is done by His power, not ours. It’s Him doing it, not us. If we allow it.

Our works of righteousness are as filthy rags. (Isa. Chapter 64, Romans Chapter 1)

We cannot please Him in our own flesh. We are fallen. We have a corrupted nature. Even when we are saved, we still fail and sin. We cannot please Him in our own obedience or desire. No matter how great it is. If He didn’t do it, or call for it, or lead us in it. Then, it’s flesh. It’s hay, wheat and stubble. You can build a million orphanages and ministries but if He’s not in it or led you to do it, then it’s nothing.

When He returns, all of our work and all of our life will be tried in the all consuming fire of who He is. (Hebrews Chapter 12, Deut. 4:24, Deut 9:3, Matthew Chapter 25, 2 Peter Chapter 3)

Like in the days of Noah, the water fell and broke up from below swallowing the world and destroying it. Only 8 souls saved on the Ark.

Likewise, when He returns the Earth will be burned up in fire, and those in Christ will be saved as if by fire, receiving the rewards. He shall judge the quick (saved, living) and the dead (unsaved) at His appearing. (2 Tim. 4:1)

All that will remain will be that which can survive the fire. Gold, silver, and precious stones through God’s work in us.

But, all flesh. All hay, wheat and stubble will be burned up. Those things that were not from God, by God or commanded by God, will perish. All things not of your relationship with God. Burned.

We will be left with what God has done. Not what we did in our flesh. No matter how good. No matter how much we obey the Bible in our flesh.

Did we know Him and follow His Spirit? Did we abide? (John Chapter 15)

But, we ourselves shall be saved as if by fire. Only having the things God has done. And we shall cast them at His feet. Because He has done it all, not us. (1 Cor 3:10-15, 1 Cor Chapter 3, Rev. 4:10-11,)

He is worthy.

And there shall be a new Heaven and new Earth, where He dwells with us. A new Creation where there is no death, corruption, curse or sin.(Isa 66:22-24, Isa Chapter 66, Isa Chapter 65, 2 Peter Chapter 3, Rev. Chapter 21)

Now, several points need to be made. There seems to be different judgements. The Judgement of the Believers which is where our rewards are decided. The Great White Throne judgement, which refers to the lost, and the judgement of nations. We do not know exactly how these things will happen and when or in what order.

When He comes there will be Judgement. When He comes there will be rewards. We know there will be a fire judgement. We know there will be a millennium, and a thousand year kingdom. But, exactly how this works we are not told. (2 Peter 3)

But, if you are a believer then we are called to serve the Kingdom. We are called to abide in Him and endure the attacks of the enemy.

When Jesus returns, our works as saints will be judged. And the work that God has done in us and through us will remain as a reward.

But, Paul warns us that if we are saved and we have done nothing. If we have not let the Holy Spirit work in us, on us and through us. If we have lived as Carnal Christians. We will face that fire, and will have nothing to show for it. God, will keep His Word and save you. But, you will go into eternity with nothing. Like a man who ran out of his burning house naked in the middle of the night. Everything burned up.

You never stored treasures in heaven. You stored them all on Earth, and when its burned. It’s burned.

But, you yourself will be saved as if by fire.

Smelling of smoke. By the skin of your teeth, so to speak.

God keeps His Word.

Learn to listen to His voice and serve the Kingdom. There is no better place to be, than with Him.

---

Photo by pexels/edited by author 

What Is Hell?

 What Is Hell?

What do the scriptures say? 

 

 

When we study the scriptures on a subject, we go by what the entire Word says, based upon the guiding of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will lead us into ALL truth. That’s how it works. (John 16:13, Jas 1:5)

We are surrounded by lots of false teachings, and it is going to get worse as the last days move forward. This is why being taught by the Holy Spirit is most important. (1 John 2:27)

Hell and/or the Lake of Fire according to scripture seems to be two different places. There is a current holding place called Hell, and a final destination which is the Lake of Fire.

Why two? Because after all is said and done there will be a final judgement, and at some point God will create a new Heaven and new Earth. Hell seems to be the containment for this current creation, and the Lake of Fire is the containment for eternity, after the last judgement and new creation.

The current containment of Hell along with death will be cast into the Lake of Fire, so nothing escapes. (Rev. 20:14)

This containment system seems to have been created for Satan and his angels.

At some point in the distant past, when Satan fell and led a rebellion against God, which included angels and all sort of spiritual beings, God created or “prepared” it for them. (Matt. 25:41)

According to scripture, Satan and his angels are not currently bound in Hell. We have verses showing Satan visiting God’s throne room in Heaven and the angels battling each other. We also have verses speaking of the demonic forces ruling and influencing things on Earth. (The book of Job, The book of Zechariah, 2 Cor. 4:4, Eph. 2:2, Rev. 20:1-3, Dan. 10 )

There are also scriptures that show that some fallen angels or beings are bound in other places. We see that there is a place called the Bottomless Pit. So, it seems that the true spiritual cosmology, involves more than Heaven, Hell and Earth. The Bible doesn’t give us a lot of info on these places and on the cosmology. I have my beliefs on them, but let’s stick to Hell. (Rev. 20:1-3, Rev. 9:14)

Hell is eternal death. Death is separation, not an end as we suppose. Hell/Lake of Fire is a place that is separated from God for all eternity. It is a holding place for all that is filthy, corrupt and wicked. It is a place for those who refuse to be washed clean of Sin and Evil in the Blood of Jesus. Hell exists as a containment for Sin. It is like a plague that corrupts us. God cannot let Sin into Heaven or Paradise, or else death and pain and suffering would contaminate all of eternity. (Rev. 1:5, Rev. 7:14, 1 John 1:7, Eph 2:13, Heb. 10:19)

Hell is best viewed as the garbage dump outside of an ancient walled city. This image gives the best picture.

Hell/The Lake of Fire is the garbage dump outside the City of God. Outside of Paradise.

When you read in the Old Testament about lepers. This is a picture of the unsaved in Hell. They were living corpses rotting away and stinking. They were contagious, and had to stay away from others. They were forced to cover their face and yell “Unclean!” any time an uninfected person approached. (Lev. 13:45) Separation.

They were poor, and no one helped them much. They dwelt in the garbage dump because they could get scraps, and scavenge things thrown away, and people would leave stuff for them.

The dump stinks. It is where the dogs dwelt eating scraps and fighting lepers. It’s the same in Hell/Lake of Fire (Revelation 22:15) (Dogs in the ancient world were vermin and tormentors. They were scavengers and thieves, who roamed in packs and might even attack a child, or solitary person. It is not the view we have of family pets. Course those family pets can turn feral.)

Jesus described Hell as a place where “the fire is not quenched and the worm dieth not.” He was quoting Isaiah. (Isa 66:22-24, Mark 9)

The fires of trash burning with filthy smoke, choking the lungs and blocking the light. A place of darkness and misery, without the love and joy and peace of God. A place where the worms live forever eating the flesh, filth and corruption. (Matt. 25:30)

This is the basic picture of Hell. A garbage dump separated from God and all that is clean.

Jesus gives us a parable of the torment of Hell. He speaks of the poor man Lazarus who basically was a homeless man who lived outside a nameless rich man’s gate. The rich man ignored Lazarus. He could have loved Him and helped Him. If the rich man really knew God, he would have done what He could do to help the homeless man. But, He did not. (Luke 16)

Both of them die.

The rich man is in Hell. Again, not because he could earn His way into heaven by doing good deeds, but because He never knew God. He never had a relationship with God. If He had, then He would have had compassion. He would have felt conviction to help Lazarus.

The rich man is thirsty in Hell and says “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.”

There is no water in Hell, it’s hot. He sees Lazarus in Heaven/Paradise leaning against Abraham’s chest, and makes this request. (There are teachings about Abraham’s Bosom and all of that, which the Bible doesn’t really teach. In this parable it is clear that Lazarus is leaning against Abraham the person, because Abraham speaks. It is not a place. Locations do not speak. Any doctrines on a place called Abraham’s Bosom are actually referring to Paradise or Heaven. The place of the the righteous dead, where the saints go to be with the Lord, and the other members of their family and saints who were saved as well. Abraham and all the saints are there. The phrase “Abraham’s Bosom” is actually poetic language for Heaven/Paradise.)

Abraham tells the rich man that Lazarus cannot give him a drink because there is a gulf between Hell and Paradise. They can see each other, but cannot go there. Again separation and containment. Many ancient cultures had a similar cosmology, because it is true. God told Adam, and the truth went to Noah, and was taught to the people. Then it was confused at the Tower of Babel, when people scattered globally with different languages and different names for past events. But, the basic idea remains. Because it’s true.

The rich man begs Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his family, so they won’t go to Hell. But, Abraham says “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

Abraham basically says, “They have God’s Word.” But, the rich man knows his family won’t read it or learn of it. He assumes his family would be shocked into turning to God if Lazarus rose from the dead.

But, Abraham says, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”

Basically, if they won’t believe the Word, they won’t believe anything, even if someone rose from the dead.

In case you missed it, this is a reference to Jesus rising from the dead; and people still refuse to believe. Just to be clear, a man named Lazarus also rose from the dead, and people still refused to believe. (John 11, John 20)

So, that is Hell. But, what about the Lake of Fire?

In my best understanding, Hell is a current spiritual place in the cosmology. It rests separated by a gulf from Heaven/Paradise. (Luke 23:43, 2 Cor. 12:4, Rev. 2:7)

It is Spiritual. It is out there beyond the veil that separates us from spiritual things.

But, the Lake of Fire is material. It exists in the material world forever.

It seems that at some point, God creates a new heaven and new earth. The city of God, and Paradise itself seems to come to Earth and joins with Earth. There is no more Separation. Sin has been contained. Death has been defeated. Everything is created new and seems to go back to how it was before the fall of man and the rebellion of Satan. (Heb. 11;16, Isa 65:17, Isa 66, Rev. 21, Rev. 22 )

The Lake of Fire is a place on Earth at this future time. A material location, not a spiritual one. It rests outside the City of God. It is the garbage dump, and containment place for everything and everyone who refused to washed in the Blood and be cleansed and healed of the Plague of Sin. Understand that sometime before the final judgement everyone who is dead will be raised into bodies that can never die. The dead currently have spiritual bodies. These future bodies will allow us to either live forever in Paradise, or live forever in Hell/Lake of Fire. (Rev. 20:12)

Why do I say this? Because it’s what God says, “ For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord. And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.” (Isa 66:22-24)

After God creates a new heaven and new earth. When His city comes to Earth and Paradise is here. The saints who the Lord has saved, will gather together on a regular basis to worship God. And part of that celebration, or after the worship service; people will be able to go out and look at the Lake of Fire and see Satan, His angels, and those who followed them in the Lake of Fire.

Now, a Lake of Fire implies liquid fire. So, I personally believe that it is like a volcano or magma. The City of God and Paradise Earth is near enough to see it, but there is a separation or gulf. People will come from all over the new Earth to worship, and see it.

So, let me tell you that our words and current understanding cannot really explain this. There are gaps in what the scriptures say and our ability to explain it. We have tried to give a time line. But, from what I can tell, no timeline or explanation of the events to come is totally perfect.

We are not supposed to “Intrude into things we have not seen.” (Col. 2:18)

That means that as humans who have never traveled to spiritual realms, or seen glimpses of the future new creation, we can only give limited knowledge and understanding.

I’ve tried to connect some dots. and clear things up in order to get people to understand and get saved or have a hope of the future. I am not going to say I have it all figured out in such a way that I can teach it or prove it. I don’t.

This is a simple explanation of what I have learned so far. I hope it helps you in your studies.

---

Photo by Pexels/Eyez Heaven. Edited by Author

Evil Is With Me

 Evil Is With Me

We have a corrupted nature 

 

“I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.”—Rom. 7:21

Romans chapter 7 explains to us the purpose of God’s Law.

It’s purpose is to reveal sin in us, so that it can be dealt with.

Paul describes the struggle between law and flesh. He says that when he saw the law “Though shalt not covet” it was revealed that he had covetousness in his life.

He sinfully wanted what others had. The law revealed this and since he realized he had broken the law, he was slain by it. The law killed him, because the punishment for sin is death. He died in God’s eyes the moment he knew He had sinned. That’s the law.

But, he did not want to commit the sin. You can plug any sin into this box. Paul used covetousness, but it could apply to any sin. It was revealed to him that he sinned, and he was slain by it. He agreed with the law, because it is good. So, he did not want this sin in his life any more.

But, he discovered that he could not quit. The evil thoughts continued. The lusting or fear or doubt or whatever sins continued in his mind and heart; even though he did not want it anymore because he saw it was wrong in the Word of God.

Now, God revealed to Him a massive truth that opened his eyes. A truth that many people miss.

If he did not want to do it any more, then it was not really him doing it. He hated the sin, but yet still did it. He still thought the thoughts and did the deeds. He could not escape.

This showed him that there was something wrong with him. That he had a corrupted nature, beyond his control. Something in himself that he did not want or desire. He hated the sin, but still did it anyway. Therefore it was not him, but SIN in him.

This is important because when we think about obeying God’s law and put burdens on ourselves and others; we ignore the truth that we cannot obey it ourselves because of our corrupted nature. We are fallen. We are plagued with sin from Adam.

Our sins we commit are like symptoms of a deeper plague in us.

We don’t see how wicked we are until the light of God’s Word reveals it to us. Our flesh is totally corrupt and we are incapable of stopping it, in such a way that is true. If we stop one thing, we sin somewhere else. Trying to quit sinning is a torturous never ending hell, full of fear that God is watching and wants to destroy you.

When we have a works based doctrine, that’s where we are. We believe we must quit sinning, but we cannot. We want to please God, but fail constantly.

But, the law actually is supposed to reveal that you cannot quit and that it is not even really you committing the sins, it is something in you. The corrupted nature.

God’s law is far more than just the ten commandments. We can’t even obey the ten, let alone the rest. And don’t even start on the sins of thoughts. The sins of omission. or sins of Pride, Doubt, Fear, and other things we do, that we do not even realize we are doing.

The law reveals it. This is why the law is good, as Paul says.

It is like a mirror.

But, our response is to change. We cannot. It won’t work. A sinful being cannot change his sinful nature, he needs God to do it.

Now, ask yourself, why would God provide a means to have your sins covered through the sacrificial system?

Because He knows we cannot obey. He wants it. He demands it. But we cannot, because of the corrupted nature in us from Adam. He knows this.

God is not ignorant of our sins and failures. We try to hide these things and try to quit or deal with it ourselves but it doesn’t work. It gets worse.

Have you ever seen a child who plays with magic markers? They color themselves, they color the walls, they color everything. But, there often comes a point where they realize they messed up. Sometimes they realize it on their own (Spirit or Conscience), or sometimes it’s when the parent reveals it to them (law).

The child tries to fix it and might get a wet rag to wash it with. But it just smears it on themselves and the wall. They cannot fix it, and it’s there before them all the time. They need an adult to help them.

That is what happens with us. Even if a person doesn’t believe in God or has some other belief system, it doesn’t matter. God created us and this is what happens. This is what ALL religions deal with. This is why people go to therapy or drink to escape.

This thing in us torments us, because we know we are wrong and cannot get right. We try to fix it by fleshly means because that is all we know. But, it won’t work for eternity. It is a fleshly band aid at best, or makes things worse.

Look at Adam and Eve. When they fell from God, they saw they were naked and tried to cover themselves with fig leaves. That is religion, and every other thing we do to fix our problem in us. It’s nothing but fig leaves.

But, God showed up and revealed the sin in them and fixed it Himself. That’s Jesus.

We cannot fix it ourselves.

Paul says “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”—Rom. 7:24.

In the very next verse He thanks God.

“I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”

He thanks God that the law has revealed to him that there is something wrong, and it is not him doing it. He serves God, but there is also the corrupted nature and he realizes that it is not him that does it but sin in him.

 The very next verse is Romans 8:1, a new chapter and he reveals why he is thankful.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

He reveals the solution. God came in the flesh to die for us, because of our sins and corrupted nature. He washes us clean in the Blood of Jesus when we turn to Him.

Our eyes are opened to the truth and we believe it. We turn to God, and ask Him to save us, confessing Jesus is the Lord, and we make Him our Lord.

God washes us clean of all sin. Past, present and future. He fills us with His Holy Spirit, and we grow in relationship with Him. We are no longer condemned. We are friends of God. We are righteous. Not because of what we do or don’t do. But, because of what Jesus did for us.

Our growth in Christ works to reveal and purge the things that we do in the flesh, as we confess our sins to Him. But, it is Him that does the work in us, not us. Even in our saved state, if we get in the habit of living a life trying to not sin, we are not really living in faith that Jesus has washed us. We think we must obey and do it ourselves. We forget that we cannot. This is why Paul says there is power in weakness. We admit our failure and give it to God and let Him do it.

If we go a few verses more in Romans chapter 8 we see this struggle continues in us even though we are saved. The flesh battles with the Spirit. We walk in the Spirit, by abiding in Christ, growing the relationship, turning to Him and confessing our sins, being in prayer, loving God and others. We realize that the sinful nature is not us anymore. We are dead to it. We died with Christ and rose with Him to new life. Those fleshly things no longer impact our spirit or salvation. They can cause trouble in this world, by opening the doors for demonic forces to attack us, but not our souls. Not our eternal spirits.

Here’s the verses

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

It’s about knowing Him, and He works to heal us and change us.

Walking in the Spirit is walking with Him. It is letting Him take care of it. because if we try to do it ourselves, or ignore it, we are walking in the flesh, and that leads to death.

What is death? Death is separation. It is not an end, as we suppose. When someone dies, they do not end, they are separated from us and from this fleshly world, and that body of flesh stays behind.

Eternal death is also separation. Nothing really dies or ends. it just changes form and continues on. We will all get a spiritual body that can never die. A vessel for our souls and spirits to dwell forever.

But, if we are not washed, that spiritual body will become corrupted by the corrupted soul, and dead spirit. It must then be separated to another place where nothing good dwells, because all good things are wrapped up in God. God is love. There is no love in separation. There is not love in that quarantine place of separation called Hell and the Lake of Fire. It is darkness and no light. It is separation from God.

If God allowed the corrupted nature into Paradise or Heaven, then all of eternity would be full of pain and evil just like this world. Separation occurs to protect God’s eternal kingdom and creation.

If we know Him we shall be with Him forever in Paradise. That’s the promise. Just like He told the thief on the cross.

All we have to do is turn to Him and ask, and believe. He will take care of the rest. We cannot change ourselves, He will do it, if we trust Him. And that is the difficulty of walking in the Spirit. Trusting and believing He’s got you. It builds patience. It builds meekness. We submit to Him and grow. Not by works, lest any should boast.

 We can trust Him.

---- 

Picture by pexels

---

Our Peace

 Our Peace

 Our Peace Comes Through Knowing Him

 

 

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”—Phil. 4:6-7

You’ve seen the slogan

“Know Jesus. Know Peace.
No Jesus. No Peace.”

But, what does it really mean and how do you obtain it?

It’s about having a relationship with Him.

It’s not about Faith, or Trust or Believing.

These things matter and are the first steps needed. They are important.

But, you can put your faith, trust and belief in a rock, and it won’t save you. It won’t bring you real peace.

You must have a relationship with Him. A relationship is give and take.

Faith, Belief and Trust is not. It is one way.

“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”—Psalm 34:8

You are “Blessed” when you trust, believe and have faith in Him. That blessing is the relationship that comes from it. All the treasures in the world is nothing compared to the relationship.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”—Heb. 11:6

When we put our faith in Him He rewards us when we diligently seek Him.

That’s relationship. We don’t stop at faith. We don’t stop at trust or belief, we move forward into knowing Him and having a relationship with Him. Our faith must lead to relationship.

We believe God’s Word, and stand on it in times of trouble. Then we see God move and we grow in faith and relationship with Him. This brings peace as we remember how He has been with us in the past. We have seen Him move.

Remember, the demons of hell believe and tremble, because they do not confess Him as Lord, they are in rebellion. They do not have a relationship with Him. Many people pray to receive Christ, but never really know Him. They never grow in Faith or have a relationship with Him. (James 2:19)

God calls us. When we hear. When we believe, and turn to Him. Putting our faith and trust in Him, confessing Jesus as our Lord. Trusting Him alone for salvation. God places us IN Christ Jesus. (Romans 10:9-10)

Jesus died for us. When we ask to be saved and confess Him as Lord, God places us within that salvation. He puts us on that Ark of protection. He washes us with His Blood. We die with Christ, and are born again with Him. That’s what it means to be IN Christ Jesus. Our peace comes by being IN Him. It comes through Him, not us.

But, if you do not have a relationship, can you really say you are in Him? Can you really expect to get anything like peace, through Him?

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”—Eph. 2:8-10

We are saved by God’s Grace. Not works. We are saved through faith so we can do good works IN Christ Jesus. The good works are based in our relationship with Him. We are yoked together with Him in relationship and service to God and others.

Ok, so what about Peace?

Well, when we are saved we receive the Holy Spirit.

God’s Spirit comes to dwell with us and in us. He comforts us and teaches us.

He helps us in our relationship with God (Himself).

He brings us gifts and develops fruit in our life.

If we do not quench His work. (1 Thess. 5:19)

“...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”—Gal. 5:22-23

When the Holy Spirit works in us He develops this fruit if we do not fight Him, or do things to stop it.

Remember, we are fallen beings. So He must develop the fruit because it is not natural for us.

Think of an adult who suffers a terrible injury and must go to rehab to relearn the most basic things. How to walk. How to eat. How to use their hands.

It’s tough. It’s painful. It takes time. This is similar to how the Holy Spirit develops His fruit in us. Except the rehab never ends, at least in this life.

This develops the relationship. We know Him and He knows us through this relationship of sanctification.

Understand that the Fruit is the Fruit of the Spirit. It’s not ours. It’s not our flesh. It’s Him in us. This is why we fail at times. We fall back into our old self. Our flesh.

So, if we are really saved, and really seeking Him. Then, things will come into our lives that will cause us to turn to Him, and the Holy Spirit will use it to grow fruit in us.

We learn to love because God has shown us that He loves us, and we face the unlovable.

We have peace because God has shown us a thousand times that He is there with us and everything will be fine.

We have joy because we see Him again.

We have patience because we know Him and can wait on Him forever, because he has taught us to.

We know goodness, gentleness and faith because we have learned it by seeing Him working in our lives, and how he treats us and others.

We have temperance, because we need nothing but Him.

We learn Meekness through brokenness and being rebuilt by Him.

All of this is the relationship, and because of the relationship.

We confess our sins to Him and trust Him. (1 John 1:9)

We pray to Him and trust Him.

We see Him move, over and over again. And know Him.

Now we look at the verse in Philippians, and rightly divide it based upon relationship.

“Be careful for nothing; “…Because we know Him. We know He is with us and loves us.

“but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”…We can discuss anything with our Father. He is on our side. He is with us and knows how best to help us. We give thanksgiving because we believe His promise “Whatsoever you ask in my name I will do.” (John 14:14) So we thank Him, knowing He is moving.

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”… We have peace because we know Him and we have his Holy Spirit. That peace is greater than anything in this world, because God is greater, and we know Him and are known of Him. He is with us and in us. Remind yourself of this. But, remember it’s because we are IN Christ Jesus. It’s because we pray in His name. It’s through Him that we have life, salvation and everything. This is our peace.

We trust that whatever God does with our prayer to Him will be fine. He loves us, “And we know that ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” —-(Romans 8:28)

If you are saved, then you are called. If you have the Holy Spirit then you have love for God, and it is being developed in you.

So, why do I not have peace? You might ask.

When you exercise or lift weights you come to a point of muscle failure. A point where you can’t lift anymore. A point where you strain. But if you keep working you will eventually lift that weight with ease.

The Holy Spirit is developing fruit in you. It is like exercise. You will be pushed and grow from it.

We turn to God and He helps us, and we see Him moving and our faith grows, our peace grows, our love for Him grows. See?

That’s relationship. He is with us and nothing else matters.

Always turn to God, and He will be there and comfort you and help you, and you will grow from it. Like a spotter in the Gym who puts his hands on the bar. He’s got you. He shouts encouragement. You are ok, just tough it out and trust the one who has your back.

And you will have more peace.

Remind yourself of His promises as you watch Him move in your life.

We encounter something in our life. We lean on the promises God has given. We speak them out loud and faith grows. We see God move and we grow to trust Him more, and this brings peace.

Trust Him. Study His Word. Trust His Word.

He’s got you. And that brings peace.

---

Photo by author