Commandments

The Commandment Against Jesting

Peter
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Ceasing from Joking  and Foolish Talking

All our behavior is to become holiness unto the Lord. As the chosen of God, today in our day of the Lord, the Commandments are shining light on our actions that miss the mark. We are always about our Father’s business, working in the Kingdom of God, speaking and, above all, doing the Commandments. Christ was always about the work of the Father, and so are we now sent as His faithful witnesses through our words and deeds. The things we used to do in our former ignorance, we stop doing as we are now called unto holiness.

1Pe 1:13  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 

1Pe 1:14  As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 

1Pe 1:15  But as he who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 

1Pe 1:16  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

The Commandments forbid us from engaging in jesting and a related sin of foolish talking. Neither act is convenient or fitting for the people of God and have us forgetting to be sober and alert.  Such behaviors are likewise poor witnesses and testimony to Jesus Christ. These are unclean activities and behaviors that defile the temple of God that we have become. We are not entering into our promised inheritance unless we overcome these sins. No blemishes or impurities, no matter how small or harmless carnal minds may think they may be, are entering into the holy city and kingdom of the Living God.

Eph 5:4  Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 

Eph 5:5  For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 

Jesting is the act of joking, kidding around, and making fun of people and generally acting in a silly or clownish way.  This includes us trying to be humorous, teasing others, and being facetious or pretending in our communication.  It reflects a lack of seriousness about who we are in Christ.  Jesting includes making fun of, insulting, or ridiculing someone or something in a derisive manner.  As the Lord’s witnesses, our words are spoken in sincerity and truth and not in any form of deceit.

Pro 14:5  A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. 

Pro 14:8  The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit. 

Making jokes about one’s appearance, speech, weight, job or anything can be considered jesting. It does nothing to edify another and defines an action that the world engages in.  A little leaven has us straying from the narrow way, leading us away from Christ and the Commandments to be holy in all our conversation.

To the flesh, these Commandments seem overly harsh and restrictive, and the truth is not well received.  We are different, not being part of the world, merely being in it, but set apart.  Sons of God and those in the making, do not jest or make jokes to gain laughs at the expense of others. We speak the truth and are careful to say nothing to offend a brother. Laughing about others is a worldly behavior and tradition that is not fitting for the people of God. Similarly, pranking others or embarrassing them in jest is not acceptable behavior for the people of God.   We are to be alert, sober, and grave [serious] in our life and about our purpose in Jesus Christ.

1Ti 2:1  I exhort, then, first of all, there be made supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, for all men: 

1Ti 2:2  for kings, and all who are in authority, that a quiet and peaceable life we may lead in all piety and gravity, 

1Ti 2:3  for this is right and acceptable before God our Saviour

Like our Lord, we are serious and focused on doing the Father’s will, having laid down our lives for the greater good of becoming servants of all. Anything we do that is contrary to building up and comforting our brethren is an action we should take a pause over engaging in.

1Th 5:11  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 

Does this mean we cannot laugh at funny things or with one another?  No, it does not mean that, but we need to be circumspect in our behavior and ensure we are not being a stumbling block to others.   We are free in Christ, but not all things profit our hearers and us.  We are learning to choose actions that are expedient to the well-being of others, which reflect the light of Jesus Christ.  Jesting and joking around is eating the meat of idols, which we can do, but only if we are careful about our witness to others.

1Co 10:23  All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. 

1Co 10:24  Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth. 

There are no examples of Christ or the disciples laughing and joking around.  They, like our Lord, were about the Father’s business.  The Lord has given us His talents, and we are to use those talents to do the Father’s business until He returns to try our faith.  Engaging in jesting and joking around takes our focus away from God’s work and leads to sloth.  Christ is always at work.

Luk 19:13  So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’ 

Luk 2:49  And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

Joh 5:17  But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. 

Our robes are made white by the blood of the Lamb as we die on our cross and suffer many tribulations in standing with Christ and obeying His Commandments to cease from our worldly behaviors and customs. We are being transformed and leaving behind what is not expedient.

Rom 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

As Christ, we are rejected and persecuted for our stance, being spoken evil of and called many names. “Come on, have a little fun”; “don’t be so serious” are carnal reasons we are sure to hear when we cease participating in and engaging in jesting and joking. We do not concern ourselves with their rejection, criticism, or even persecution for not engaging, because we are here to please God and not men. We now have a different purpose for our lives from that of those blinded by God.

1Pe 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. 

1Pe 4:3  For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 

1Pe 4:4  Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 

Jesting and foolish talking are dissipations of the world. There are times for laughing, yet we are circumspect in how we walk to not stray from the path and speak deceit or make fun of that which is forbidden by the Lord. Our consciousness is convicted by the Spirit of the Lord that dwells in us, if we have strayed.  Ask the Lord if in doubt.

1Jn 3:21  Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 

Our time to laugh is after we are humbled and purified by heavy trials. Drawing near to God is no laughing matter and brings affliction and weeping as we suffer many things and give up the lusts of the flesh.

Jas 4:8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 

Jas 4:9  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 

Jas 4:10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. 

There is a time for every purpose under heaven, and that includes a time to laugh. But that time is not now in the day of the Lord.

Ecc 3:1  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven  …

Ecc 3:4  A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance

In our day of the Lord, our laughter and joy in the flesh turns into mourning. Playtime is over; the Lord is serious about His work of saving us from our sins.  Our whole heart and mind are being turned solely to the Lord.  All of our idols and continued engagement in the flesh as we wandered in the wilderness are over.

1Co 10:7  Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

The time to laugh is when we have overcome, when the Lord has finished His work in saving us from our sins.  The Lord fills our mouths with laughter as we sing praises unto His name and for His marvelous works.

Job 8:21  Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing. 

Psa 126:2  Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. 

We are admonished to remain alert and sober for the trials and tests of our faith.  Being sober-minded means maintaining a seriousness in our focus, a sincerity and gravity, whereby we give up the attractions and wants of our flesh. Our speech is blameless, above reproach, so jesting and joking around is very unwise behavior.  Paul admonishes the young in the faith.

Tit 2:6  Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. 

Tit 2:7  In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 

Tit 2:8  Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. 

This sounds so negative to the flesh, and it is.  Yet we who are afflicted and seek the Lord have a new joy that sustains us. Our love of the Father and our keeping of His Commandments are our joy and our strength. We no longer live for the world and its way of life. The joy of the Lord is the Father’s Commandments, and they have become our joy.

Joh 15:10  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. 

Joh 15:11  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 

By the Lord’s mercy, we have been given the knowledge and power of the Commandments. It is through Christ that we find the strength to overcome and cease from speaking corruptly out of our mouths. With the mindset of a servant and a minister, we are looking to the spiritual well-being of our neighbors and not ourselves.

Eph 4:29  Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 

We are to be careful in everything we speak, having heard the Gospel and now knowing the Commandments. Judgment is now on our house, and the Lord requires us to give an account of every idle word we say that is contrary to the Commandments. Far better to be justified by the Lord than to be condemned for speaking foolishly.

Mat 12:36  But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

Mat 12:37  For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

Jokes and stories are not the truth; they are a form of deceit in the spirit.  The world has waxed so much worse that the jokes have become filthy and full of ungodliness.  We do not engage in them, even the so called clean ones,  being His set-apart people.  We are the representation of Christ, who is the truth, the way, and the life.

Pro 26:18  Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,

Pro 26:19  Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!”

There are very few examples of jesting in the Scriptures, yet here is one in the Book of Kings. Some youths jested and mocked Elijah on his way to Bethel, and therefore, they were cursed and slain by the Lord.  Think spiritually about this parable. Those who continue to engage in jesting and joking behaviors are not alive to Christ but abide in spiritual death.

2Ki 2:23  Then he went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up the road, some youths came from the city and mocked him, and said to him, “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!”

2Ki 2:24  So he turned around and looked at them, and pronounced a curse on them in the name of the LORD. And two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths

The carnal mind wants to be charmed, to be entertained, and thus jokes and jesting are attractive to fulfill those lusts. Like a snake, a carnally minded man bites when his fleshly lusts are not met or placated. A foolish talker is a babbler who is swallowed up in their carnal mindedness.

Ecc 10:11  A serpent may bite when it is not charmed; The babbler is no different.

Ecc 10:12  The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up

Losing our lives to save them means our lives are going to be boring by the world’s definition, devoid of lots of fun and laughs. As the first fruits unto the Lord, His Elect, our reward is in heaven, and we labor for it and not the treasures and enjoyments of this present world. We are receiving the spiritual blessings and the mind of Jesus Christ. Hallelujah, and we can be merry and rejoice in the mighty works of God in our lives.

Commandments

Speak Evil of No Man

Peter
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Guarding Our Speech

As the Lord’s chosen witnesses, lights unto the world, there is to be no corrupt speech or communication coming out of our mouths. We are to guard and watch our tongues with all diligence.

Eph 4:29  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 

The tongue is a fire that, if not controlled, defiles our hearers and us, and plunges us into greater inner torment of the accusing and excusing mindsets. Only the Lord by the Commandments can tame the tongue.

Jas 3:6  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 

Jas 3:7  For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 

Jas 3:8  But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 

Peter wrote commanding us to keep our tongue from evil and linking doing so with being compassionate, loving, pitiful, and courteous; all of which are further Commandments we obey with our brethren and all men.

1Pe 3:8  Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 

1Pe 3:9  Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 

1Pe 3:10  For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 

We are commanded not to speak evil of anyone. Speaking evil is finding fault, criticizing, looking down upon others, and doing this is what the carnal mind loves to do in making accusations and excuses. If we are in Christ, no evil or carnal judgment is expected to come out of our mouths. There was never any guile in our Lord’s mouth, who set the example we, His elect, now follow.

1Pe 2:21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 

1Pe 2:22  Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 

Rev 14:5  And in their [the elect’s] mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. 

These words are written and shared with the flock to admonish all of us as we are likewise commanded to do. These words, the Commandments, are what wash our feet and keep us walking the narrow road. The Living Christ washed our feet, and we now wash one another’s feet.

Joh 13:14  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 

Joh 13:15  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

A fault-finding spirit, speaking evil of others, is the work of the adversary within us, that is, our carnal mind, which is always looking to find fault in others. The pointing of the finger is the work of Satan, who is to be kicked out of our heavens by the Commandments. We crucify those lusts in our flesh by laying down our lives in obedience to the Commandments.

Rev 12:10  And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 

Rev 12:11  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

It is the spirit of the Pharisee [outward righteous but inward full of death] within us who is quick to find fault, showing no mercy, that wants to point the finger and judge others.

Mat 7:1  Judge not, that ye be not judged. 

Mat 7:2  For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 

Mat 7:3  And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 

 We condemn ourselves when we judge others, when we ourselves are guilty of doing similar things. We forget to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees that we all are first, which is hypocrisy.

Rom 2:1  Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. 

We are reminded of our own sins and from whence we have come, and by what power, and our carnal and ungodly accusations, slander, and finger-pointing stop. It is one of the ways the Lord works our sins to bring salvation to us. We are stopping from looking out there to make judgments and are turning our spiritual eyes inward to ourselves to make righteous judgments.

Joh 8:7  So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 

If we want to see the Lord in our walk, we are pursuing peace at every turn by striving to obey His Commandments in our interactions with all men. Obeying Christ is loving our neighbor as ourselves, and thus we fulfill the royal law of Scripture. When we speak evil of others, we are knowing men after the flesh, which we are to know them that way no longer. All our Christ’s servants, clay in His hands and doing exactly what the Lord has them doing. We are to obey the Commandments and not utter negative and slanderous things against those outside the fellowship of faith.

Jas 2:8  If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 

Jas 2:9  But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

If we are not diligent in controlling our thoughts and our tongues, we can be overtaken by a spirit of bitterness that thereby defiles us and greatly impedes our witness and testimony for Christ.

Heb 12:14  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 

Heb 12:15  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 

Slandering others is speaking derogatorily and is evil speaking, which makes us fools if we engage in it. Such words destroy our testimony, our witness, and our walk if we are not released from the snare. The light of Christ does not shine forth from the mouth of fools.

Pro 10:18  … he that uttereth a slander is a fool. 

Pro 18:7  A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. 

We should always be ready to hear, slow to speak, and refrain from making any carnal judgments, which is the sacrifice of the foolish.

Ecc 5:1  Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. 

Ecc 5:2  Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. 

Speaking evil of others is the manifestation of the pride of man that we have died to. The mind of Christ, that is our heaven, and the temple that is our walk and actions, are cleaned out of all things that defile us in our day of the Lord. Speaking evil of others is judging others in the flesh. We are not judges but are doers of the law of God who obey the Commandments.

Jas 4:11  Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

Jas 4:12  There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another

We belong to Christ, and thus we no longer partake of the customs and practices of the world that speak evil of one another, always seeking to find fault and justify themselves. We are different, we are peculiar people, a holy people who show praises to our God by obeying His Commandments.   The Prince of Peace, the Living Christ, is ruling in our hearts, and the flesh that once ensnared us in bondage has been put into subjection.

Tit 3:2  To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

Tit 3:3  For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another

We are all first the Pharisee who despises others and speaks evil of them until the Lord brings the correction and admonishments needed, the fiery grace, to burn this spirit out of our hearts and minds.

Luk 18:9  And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 

Luk 18:10  Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 

Luk 18:11  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 

Luk 18:12  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 

Luk 18:13  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 

Luk 18:14  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. 

Remember the power of the tongue to defile us and to kill us spiritually. We are diligent and circumspect in examining ourselves and walking in obedience. We are reaping what we are sowing with our tongue. Reap eternal life, not spiritual death that comes from our sins of the tongue.

Pro 18:21  Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. 

Seek the Lord, and we shall live in His presence. Keep this Commandment to speak no evil at the forefront of your mind. Let us rather do Christ and become the shining light in this dark world that is full of evil.

Commandments

The Commandment to Be Kind

Peter
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Adding Kindness to Godliness

The Commandment to be kind is everywhere in the Scriptures, and while not explicitly cited, it is interwoven into many other Commandments.  Kindness is a notable fruit of the Spirit that those walking by faith are exhibiting.  All the spiritual fruits, including kindness, are interrelated, and producing them in our walk is the Commandment.

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

Gal 5:23  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 

This is readily seen even in the world’s definition of the adjective “to be kind.”  We cannot be kind without also being patient, gentle, forbearing and having a sincere desire to help our fellow man.

Cambridge Dictionary:  Kind – generous, helpful, and thinking about other people’s feelings:

Brittania Dictionary: Kind – having or showing a gentle nature and a desire to help others: wanting and liking to do good things and to bring happiness to others

Merriam Webster:  of a sympathetic or helpful nature, of a forbearing nature (gentle), arising from or characterized by sympathy or forbearance, of a kind to give pleasure or relief

In our day of the Lord, the light of these Commandments is being shown on our earth, revealing our sins and weaknesses as the faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ in the world.  We have all fallen short at times, some more than others, and we are repenting of our selfishness and pride, seeking the Lord’s help to do better.  When we are prideful, we are unkind and scoff at the Lord in every situation He is causing in our lives.  The wisdom of God has us overcoming and taking down this mighty stronghold of the flesh to seek its own.

Pro 21:21  He who follows righteousness and kindness [mercy] finds life, righteousness, and honor. 

Pro 21:22  A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the trusted stronghold. 

Pro 21:23  Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles. 

Pro 21:24  A proud and haughty man—”Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride. 

Mercy, kindness, and loving kindness are nearly identical.  The same Hebrew word, H2617 in Strong’s,  is translated into all three words many times.  In the New Testament, the term compassion is akin to kindness and is an action we perform in obedience to our Lord.  The good Samaritan was kind and compassionate, going out of his way and giving of himself as a witness for Christ.

Luk 10:33  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 

Luk 10:34  And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 

The master who was owed much in the world, forgave it all in compassion or kindness, as the example of our Lord forgiving us all our debt, so we, in turn, forgive all who owe us.

Mat 18:25  But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 

Mat 18:26  The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 

Mat 18:27  Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 

Kindness is hearing the cries of those in need, be they verbal or physical cues, and answering the call, being merciful as our Father in heaven is merciful.

Mat 20:32  And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? 

Mat 20:33  They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. 

Mat 20:34  So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him. 

We want others to be kind, courteous, and compassionate with us, and that is exactly what we are commanded to do with others.  It is intricately tied to the first Commandment, on which there is none greater.  It is far more important than we have previously known.

Mar 12:30  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 

Mar 12:31  And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. 

Nothing is to be done selfishly or with strife.  We are not our own; we belong to Christ now and are unworthy servants doing the Lord’s work.  We look to the needs of others, which is the mind of Christ.

Php 2:3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 

Php 2:4  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 

Php 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 

As a living sacrifice, we no longer seek our own but the needs of others.

1Co 10:24  Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth

Being mean, rude, impolite, impatient, condescending, or any number of adjectives contrary to being kind or considerate, does nothing to address the needs of Christ and is a failure on our part to be a faithful witness.

Mat 25:40  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 

We are Christ, and are being made into the sons of God and putting on the same divine nature as Jesus Christ, receiving His mindset.  The Lord is known for His lovingkindness, mercy, and compassion, and so shall we be in our transformation from a beast unto a saint.

Isa 63:7  I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses. 

Psa 117:2  For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD. 

Walking in the faith, we do not allow anger or meanness to control us; those fruits of the flesh are the opposite of kindness.  We submit to the Lord the more we become like Him.

Joe 2:13  And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 

The Body of Christ, the Prov 31 Woman, the church of God, has this law of kindness in her speech.  Being kind, gentle, meek, and patient is the sacrifice of praise we continually offer in all our speech and behavior.

Pro 31:26  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 

Heb 13:15  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 

We cannot love anyone and be Christ to anyone if we do not keep the Commandments.  We restate this definition of love here and often to remind ourselves.

Joh 14:15  If ye love me, keep my commandments. 

1Jn 5:3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

When we love God, we produce the fruit of the Spirit.  If that fruit is not evident, then we need to examine ourselves as something is amiss in our walk.

2Co 13:5  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 

Love is patient and kind; it does not act meanly or rudely to others.  The love of God requires us to bear all things, including many hurts and wrongs that the world’s mindset seeks to avenge itself. We avenge nothing, leaving that all to God, and are commanded to simply do Christ, that is to love.

1Co 13:2  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 

1Co 13:3  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 

1Co 13:4  Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 

1Co 13:5  does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 

1Co 13:6  does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 

1Co 13:7  bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 

We certainly have done nothing to deserve the grace of God and the kindness He has bestowed upon us.  We have freely received in order that we can freely give it back to those the Lord puts into our path.

Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 

Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 

Eph 2:7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 

Being raised as ministers of God, Christ in this world, the Commandment to be holy requires that all our speech and emotions be brought under subjection to the Lord. We are to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving, which is the opposite demeanor of who we were before we received the Gospel.

Eph 4:29  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 

Eph 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 

Eph 4:31  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 

Eph 4:32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

As God’s elect, His chosen witnesses, we are the spiritual light unto this world.  There is no allowance for us to hold onto any fleshly emotions of bitterness, wrath, meanness, and pride.  All is put away; we have died to those things that we might live for God.

Col 3:12  Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 

Col 3:13  Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 

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

Kindness is a light; it draws people to Christ.  Kindness is the way of Christ and is to be seen in our behavior, being born of the Spirit of God, which dwells in us.  The light of Christ is to be seen in our actions as we are an open witness and testimony to all who see us.

Mat 5:14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 

Mat 5:15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 

Mat 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

As kindness grows in us, and we learn to love it, as we are humbled of our fleshly pride through many trials.  We learn to trust God and not ourselves and focus on just obeying the Commandments and producing the fruit.

Mic 6:8  esv He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? 

We are kind and considerate to all mankind, not just those we know and love.  There is never any partiality with God nor respect of persons in judgment.  We are Christ to all.

Tit 3:2  To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. 

Those who hate the Living Christ [our enemies], we love by doing good and showing them the same kindness as we do to those who do good to us.  By keeping the Commandments, we show them mercy, and in due time, our acts help open their eyes and bring them to Christ.

Luk 6:27  But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 

Luk 6:28  Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 

We are kind to others because we are Christ, and this is the Commandment.  Nonetheless, our reward is great in heaven, as we are obtaining the mind of Christ.

Luk 6:33  And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 

Luk 6:34  And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 

Luk 6:35  But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 

Luk 6:36  Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. 

Doing the truth is much harder than knowing the truth. As someone who struggles to be kind at times, I have asked, “Why is there so little kindness in my heart?”  The Lord is causing our sins; they are part of all things He is working, and He does this to turn areas of our hearts back to Him in repentance.  Our eyes are being trained to look within us, to see our sin and pray for mercy, for the Lord to come deliver us.

Isa 63:17  O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, and hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants’ sake, the tribes of thine inheritance. 

Our continued failures vex our fleshly spirit and are used to bring us to repentance.  The spirit of flesh, the pride of our life that is our beast, who wars with the King, must be consumed in the lake of fire, and it is happening right on schedule.

Rev 19:19  And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 

Rev 19:20  And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 

Being kind to all men exposes us to being taken advantage of and having our goods spoiled.  Yet we obey God anyway and count it a blessing to be spoken evil of and have our goods spoiled.

Heb 10:33  Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. 

Heb 10:34  For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. 

Kindness is something we add to our faith as we mature.  The kindness of Christ is part of His divine nature that we are being made partakers of, having escaped the corruption of the world.  We are in a race, a journey, also known as the fight of faith.  We are to be diligent, meaning to be careful and thoughtful, to add things to our faith, including patience [temperance]  and kindness.  We naturally lack these things in the flesh, and the world teaches us the opposite behavior.  We are learning to add them by the Spirit of God.  The end result is perfect love, the charity that is our obedience to the Lord.

2Pe 1:4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 

2Pe 1:5  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 

2Pe 1:6  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 

2Pe 1:7  And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 

Our Lord is kind.  Let us therefore remember the Commandment to be kind.  Let’s not be too busy with our own lives that we forget the Commandment and fail to be kind and give of ourselves in the moment.  Help us, Lord, to be kind in all our speech and behavior.

Commandments

Be Patient in Tribulation

Peter
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In Patience We Possess Our Souls

Peter and Rohnel, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus gathered with us and those scattered in the world, grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. We thank our Lord for His enduring mercy, which continually opens our eyes to see our sin and to bring correction.

Father, we confess our lack of patience and striving against your work in our lives and ask for strength to overcome and walk as your faithful witnesses.  We are the most blessed who delight in your ways, who are prospering, being planted by the rivers of life that are your Commandments.

Psa 1:1  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 

Psa 1:2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 

Psa 1:3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 

The Lord commands us to be patient in our lives and to look towards and wait upon Him to provide what we need, knowing the Lord works all things for the counsel of His will.  The Lord chose us to bear spiritual fruit that remains even in the midst of many temptations to do otherwise.  This includes abiding in patience, which is the focus of this study on the Commandment to be patient.  Being patient also means being long-suffering and retaining self control or temperance.  This study came about as a rebuke and admonition to my impatience, hastiness and lack of self control which kept the fruit of the Spirit from budding forth.

Gal 5:22  NKJV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 
Gal 5:23  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 
Gal 5:24  And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 
Gal 5:25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 

Impatience is an affection of the flesh; it is not the fruit of the Spirit.  Patience is far more important than we realize because without it, we do not bear the downstream fruits of the spirit, and also are not obedient to the Commandments to be gentle and kind.

1Ti 6:11  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

2Ti 2:24  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,

The fruits of the Spirit are the products of our walking in faith and come forth when we obey the one great Commandment to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, and soul.  An impatient spirit is not a spirit submitted to what the Lord is working in the moment and is disobedience. In the day of the Lord, our impatience is brought into the light and fire that is the Living Commandments.  Progression onward to maturity is stalled, bearing little fruit, when we do not overcome and continue through much patience to show godliness and kindness in all our behavior. Adding to our faith is growing in the faith unto the mature man in Christ.  Patience needs to be added to yield godliness in all our behavior.

2Pe 1:5  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 

2Pe 1:6  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 

2Pe 1:7  And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 

2Pe 1:8  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Not being patient is one being impatient, and it’s a sign that one is still a beast.  Impatience comes forth from the pride of life that is being burned away in the Commandments as we lay down our lives in obedience.

Ecc 3:18  I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. 

Ecc 7:8  Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

If not patient, we are not possessing our souls as the Lord demands.  We remain and abide in conflict with what the Lord is doing to reshape and remold us into holy vessels in which He and the Father dwell forever.  In our day of the Lord, we suffer great tribulation, and the Lord tells us to patiently endure and wait for Him to finish His work.

Luk 21:19  In your patience possess ye your souls. 

Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 

If our lives are defined by haste and angst, we are not at rest or being patient. These are signs we are striving against what the Lord is doing at this moment of our lives.  This behavior and thought life are kicking against the pricks. The Lord says it is hard to kick against His pricks; we just make our trials worse.  Far better to just obey the Lord.

Act 9:5  And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Act 9:6  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

Pricks in the natural are known as goads and are designed to keep cattle moving in the direction [in submission] to what the herdsman or shepherd demands.  Pricks in the spiritual is the grace of God, our trials, the exact situation we are in that is part of all things the Lord works, to keep us in submission to Christ, the Living Commandments, and do what our Maker demands.  The word translated pricks is also translated as stings, as the pricks or stings, being the Lord’s grace, move us towards Christ and His righteousness.  If we do not obey, more stings and more pricks follow to bring us into subjection and be content and patient.  The Lord does not fail to prosper His Word in His elect.  When we push back, resist, and are impatient, more pricks are added until we submit.

Num 33:55  But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell. 

Rom 5:20  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 

We are learning to put down the sword, our carnal mind, and rest in the Living Christ, the Commandments of the Father that live in us.  The tribulations and grace continue until our beast is subdued.

Rev 13:9  If any man have an ear, let him hear. 

Rev 13:10  He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. 

Our rebellious actions are futile and do nothing to change the Lord’s heavy arm pressing upon us.  Any resistance puts us deeper into torment and distress.   Far better to take heed of the Lord and obey His commandments.  We rest in peace and learn to be patient.

Jas 1:3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 

Jas 1:4  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 

The sacrifices and offerings the Lord desires and accepts are those of a contrite and meek spirit.  Impatience and hastiness are the antithesis of a broken spirit, and thus the Lord sends fiery trials in the appointed time to burn this beastly character out of us.

Psa 51:17  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

John describes the great tribulation that all brethren endure as being the patience of Jesus Christ.  All things we endure require patience to stay the course and walk the narrow road to the end.  Paul shares the same message.

Rev 1:9  I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 

2Co 6:4  But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, 

Moving through life fast, at the world’s pace, without consideration and forethought, brings out the wrath of man and works not the righteousness of Jesus Christ. We are learning to slow down in life, tarry for others, wait on the Lord to lead us, and not be easily provoked in our flesh.

Jas 1:19  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 

Jas 1:20  For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 

In our day of judgment, the Lord frustrates our impatience and our attempts to avoid being patient.  We cannot escape the judgment of God and retain our impatience.  When we think we have escaped the lion, a bear then meets us, or a serpent bites us.  The grace of God is not failing to have its way in the whirlwind of our judgment.  The Lord, the Commandments, are passing through us once more to remake all things.

Amo 5:17  And in all vineyards shall be wailing: for I will pass through thee, saith the LORD.

Amo 5:18  Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light.

Amo 5:19  As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house, and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God, who accomplishes His will in remaking our heavens and our earth in the appointed time.  All our contention is brought into subjection through much tribulation and anguish.

Rom 2:6  Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 

Rom 2:7  To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 

Rom 2:8  But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 

Rom 2:9  Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 

We trust the Lord through our faith, knowing all things work together for the greater good.  The example of Job and the blessings that come at the end gives us hope and strength to endure the moment and remain patient, bearing the anguish that is making our spirit of flesh poor.

Jas 5:11  Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. 

We learn to glory in our tribulations, knowing that they are teaching us patience, a key fruit of the Spirit that makes us faithful witnesses to the Lord. Learning patience comes with much experience in trials and builds our hope in the Lord and the promises yet to be revealed in us.

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: 

We learn contentment in our patience and stop kicking against the pricks.

Jas 1:3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 

Jas 1:4  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 

Being patient is one of the marks of a true Christian.  As the Lord’s witnesses in this world, we are called to be patient and control our fleshly emotions at all times.

Rom 12:10  Be affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; 

Rom 12:11  Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 

Rom 12:12  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 

Patience is long suffering, which requires endurance, which is also a Commandment.  The patient and long-suffering with others define the nature of those marked by Christ.

Eph 4:2  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 

Eph 4:3  Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

We are being made into His likeness and image. Be patient in all circumstances, as that is the nature of our God.

Rom 15:5  Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 

We are no longer brawlers nor run in the same dissipations as the world, which by nature is impatient and striving with one another.  Shepherds of the sheep are patient and follow the many examples of the Apostles.

1Ti 3:3  Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

Tit 2:2  That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

2Ti 3:10  But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

Be patient in the hope of the Lord Jesus Christ and in our dealings with all men. We are lights unto the world and are commanded to run our race with patience.

1Th 5:14  Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

Heb 6:12  That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Entering the Kingdom of God is only done through many tribulations.  These trials require great patience to endure, grow in maturity, and overcome our sin.  We are keeping the Commandment to be patient at the forefront of our thoughts and minds every day as we endure the fiery trials in our day of the Lord.

2Th 1:4  So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:

Rev 14:12  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

The Lord is our helper in our trials with impatience and all the Commandments.  Seek Him, the Commandments, and we shall live in His sight.