OPERATING UPON GODLY CHARITY AND EQUITY AS A BIBLE TEACHER

1Co 7:31  And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. 

1Ti 1:3  As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 

1Ti 1:4  Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. 

1Ti 1:5  Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 

1Ti 1:6  From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 

Oftentimes, when the mature saint, or one who is “strong in the Faith,” has begun to “renew” his mind, and is less “conformed to this world,” he will begin to see the “fashion of this world” for exactly what is in the sight Of God; an ungodly waste of our sanctified time. But as we learn to “abhor that which is evil and cleave to that which is good” in the Father’s Sight, we will face persecution, because your ‘new found’ godly loves go complete contrary to what this world values and esteems. And the godly saint will be charged with being wrong, ungodly, and a “enemy” because he no longer embraces what this world loves. And this attack can; and will come from those closest to us! But this type of attack does not compare to what the mature Saint in Christ endures as a teacher and preacher in all godliness, and one who has now became partaker of the afflictions of the gospel, and enduing the “sufferings of Christ.”

Gal 4:9  But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? 

Gal 4:10  Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. 

Gal 4:11  I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain. 

Gal 4:12  Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all. 

Gal 4:16  Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? 

When we begin to dislike the “Fashion Of this World” that many have grow to Love, and the particular “Days” that many grow to Love, and the way this world displays a counterfeit form of Godliness, Sanctification, and teaching of His Word, the “fruit” of this renewed mind is “The Sufferings Of Christ” abounding within us, and our having the ‘privilege’ to “suffer WITH Him,” and “glory” in those sufferings as well. This is why we see Paul teaching the saints about an “enemy” at the end of chapter 12, after he just educated the saints about being NOT conformed to this world, and about the selfless Love of God.

Rom 12:19  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 

Rom 12:20  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 

Rom 12:21  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. 

The Son is educated in selfless Love and charity as we see in Romans 12, but as we can see in Romans 14, the saint is being exhorted as a mature saint in the faith, as  one who ought to “receive” the saint who is “weak in the faith.” But the son is exhorted to “receive,” and respond uno the “weak in the faith” out of selfless godly Love, and make equitable decisions and judgments out of selfless Love that he himself is taught in the word of truth, but that he would now teach this selflessness unto the weaker brethren as well.

Rom 14:1  Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.

Rom 14:2  For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

Rom 14:3  Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

Furthermore, the mature in the faith becomes doctrinally equipped by what he has learned and been assured of by the effectual working of the word within him, whereas he through a ‘renewed mind,’ will come to understand what the selfless love of God is all about. And when he begins to understand true godly selfless love he will also begin to “suffer for Christ’s sake,” and out of his new-found godly attitude of transforming his mind unto the Father’s will, he will become a example unto the other saints, just as the Thessalonian Saints were in Paul’s day.

Rom 14:15  But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.

Rom 14:16  Let not then your good be evil spoken of:

Rom 14:17  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Rom 14:18  For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.

Rom 14:19  Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

Therefore, not only will the Saint grow in maturity with a renewed spiritual mind, but he will also ‘become’ the doctrine itself! He will actually “adorn” this new identity, which looks exactly like The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are taught that we are to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ,” we are taught that we are “being conformed to the image of His Son,” we are taught to “put on the whole Armor of God,” and that we can “have the mind of Christ;” we are taught the identifying doctrines as Saints who desire to be taught by our Father, and to know his heart, to desire His word, and to live unto His will, just as the Lord and Savior lived during His earthly ministry. But the Son would also desire to teach His word, and thereby glorify the Father and the Son as well. He is also taught that his selfless love should “abound yet more and more” unto the saints, and especially unto the saints who are “weak in the faith.”

Rom 15:1  We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Rom 15:2  Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.

Rom 15:3  For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

And in the above verses the mature Son is now being taught to operate upon the same selfless love and charity that Jesus Christ operated upon, He displayed selfless Charity in giving up Himself for the Father’s sake, and the sakes of the whole world. Paul also uses himself for an example when he says:

“2Co 4:5  For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.”

Paul teaches us that the Father, and the Son, and The Holy Ghost Benefit from our sufferings, but they are not the only ones who benefit from them, we are told that we benefit, AND others as ‘Consolation’ When we Suffer! And because The Father places high value upon the Spiritual “good” of the one who is weak in the faith, we ought to posses the same godly selfless thinking toward the members of His Body who lack the edification in Him.

Eph 3:16  That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 

Eph 3:17  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 

Eph 3:18  May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 

Eph 3:19  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 

God would have the saints to not only just “know” What His Word says, but to understand His Love in ALL Selflessness that He displays, and HOW He Would judge, make Godly decisions, and fairly distribute Godly Love to This World, And to The Father Himself, And the Lord Jesus Christ And This gets done by our suffering, and our SELFLESS Response When we suffer, and our using What He has equipped us with as Our Salvation from these things, AND using His Word as a ‘Tool’ To continue to bring forth honor and glory as an extension of His Holiness. And when we get to Romans Chapter 14&15, we are given instruction as a teacher of God’s word to display that same selfless charity to the saints we are teaching, and toward the Lord, and the Ministry.

2Ti 1:13  Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

2Ti 1:14  That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.

2Ti 1:15  This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

2Ti 1:16  The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain:

2Ti 1:17  But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me.

2Ti 1:18  The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.

2Ti 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Paul exhorts Timothy to “be partaker of the afflictions,” and that he ought not have a “spirit of fear,” and that he needs to “stir up the gift” within his inner man. Paul said:

“Php 2:20  For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state.”

Timothy was “likeminded” with Paul, he “knew” the doctrine, but he lacked what Onesiphorus, and saints like Titus and Luke had within themselves; and that was the selfless Love of God. Paul exhorts Timothy to be “a good soldier,” and not to be “ashamed” for the gospel’s sake, even though Timothy was taught in Godly selflessness for Christ’s sake, he needed to “stir up” this “gift” that was within him. Timothy did not possess the selfless love of God within his inner man for the Ministry’s sake, the Philippians also had the same ailment; they too did not possess the ‘real love’ of God.

Php 1:9  And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 

Php 1:10  That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; 

Php 1:14  And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 

Php 1:15  Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 

Php 1:16  The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 

Php 1:17  But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 

Php 1:28  And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 

Php 1:29  For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; 

Php 1:30  Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me. 

The Philippian Saints were in “fear,” and had the same “conflict” of the gospel that Paul had, but Paul gave these Saints the thought-provoking doctrine to equip the saints to be what God has called them to be in the Ministry for “Christ’s Sake.” The Apostle Paul Exhorts The Saints to be The Mature, Or “perfect” Saint in Christ that God The Father has called them to be, and it is by the “godly edifying” of His Word that this is accomplished.

The Lord also gave the Apostles who would teach and preach, and bring forth “fruit,” exhortation, and reproof about their hearts.

Joh 15:1  I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 

Joh 15:2  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 

Joh 15:6  If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 

Joh 15:7  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 

Joh 15:8  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 

Joh 15:9  As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 

The Lord also gave the Apostles who would teach and preach, and bring forth “fruit,” exhortation, and reproof about their hearts. The Lord taught the Apostles the example of Godly selfless Love, and an Identity of The Father and the Son as they display Love.  The Lord is saying in the verses above, that all that I have spoken unto you WILL come to pass IF you continue in the ministry, and in His Love!!! And continuing in His Love Is having selfless Love for both what the Father and what the Son values and esteems, and that is the edifying of the Saints to bring forth fruit, and teach the doctrine unto others in sanctification, and glory to be an extension of His Holiness.

Joh 16:1  These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 

Mar 14:27  And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. 

Mar 14:28  But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. 

Mar 14:29  But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. 

Mar 14:30  And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. 

Mar 14:31  But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all. 

The Apostles were “offended” in the Lord, they took ‘offence’ to the notion that they would suffer, and be persecuted, just like they did not believe the Lord Himself would suffer, die, and rise again. They were “offended because of” the Lord because His thinking did not ‘line up’ with their thinking, and when something does not conform to our wishes, and will, it will “offend” us, and the Apostle had not yet learned the vital doctrines about the ‘Real Love Of God.’ But they would later learn the selfless love of God for the Ministry, The Father, and The Son:

Act 5:17  Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, 

Act 5:18  And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. 

Act 5:19  But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, 

Act 5:20  Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. 

Act 5:21  And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought

Act 5:40  And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 

Act 5:41  And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 

Act 5:42  And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. 

The Apostles learned the selfless love of God, they came to understand that their prior thinking was carnal in nature, and was conformed to this world’s thinking, and the Lord “rebuked,” and reproved this type of thinking that the Apostles had, because they “savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.” The ministry of the Lord consists of selfless Love for “Christ’s sake,” and not so much “care” for the world, and the affairs, and “fashion” of it, but have he desire to “cry Abba Father,” and also have the godly zeal to teach His word, and Will according to the doctrine of godliness.

Mar 8:31  And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 

Mar 8:32  And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. 

Mar 8:33  But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men. 

Mar 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. 

Mar 8:35  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. 

Mar 8:36  For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 

Mar 8:37  Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 

Mar 8:38  Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. 

Finally, it is the selfless love of God that we HAVE TO learn, but we have To LOVE OURSELVES LESS! This is the only way to get this type of understanding and doctrine within us! And it is our growth and development in godly knowledge of His Word, and we as “Sons and Daughters” are taught that our “Adoption” as Sons unto The Father would consist of the Son And Daughter desiring to “Know” his Father’s Thinking, Word, Way, Life, Emotion, and His Heart as He Loves. And to know the Love of Christ, is to “know” the fellowship of His sufferings as well, and be “therefore partakers of the afflictions,” but how can we know Him, or follow Paul, when we desire to avoid the very thing most of their ministry consisted of; and that is the sufferings of this present time, and the sufferings of Christ.

Col 3:14  And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 

Col 3:15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 

Col 3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 

Col 3:17  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Rom 5:3  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 

Rom 5:4  And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 

Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 

Rod Jones