"...I bear in my body the marks of the...Iesou." Gal. 6:17
The churches of Galatia were facing powerful adversity from false teachers who sought to overthrow their faith-confession through compromise. The compromise demanded by these false teachers went to the very heart of the Faith - they proposed another Gospel quite unlike the one they had originally received.
To Paul such compromise was abhorrent and unthinkable. For Paul the Gospel was the unique and irreplaceable Word of God that proclaimed the Iesous as the incarnation of Theos' saving action in history. The believers in the churches of Galatia seemed to be easily swayed by the unfounded by compelling claims of these false teachers.
Paul did not merely engage in hand wringing over this issue he braved the merciless onslaught of the false teachers and used his prophetic voice to confront the believers with their capricious ways. Their caprice was not of God. It originated from the flesh within them and drew them into the pro-flesh milieu.
The pro-flesh milieu within these believers caused them to steal themselves from their master - the Iesous and become enslaved to themselves. The lie of the pro-flesh life is that we belong to ourselves and not the Iesous who purchased us at the cost of his life.
After an intense spiritual struggle on behalf of these believers Paul holds up to them the symbol of his relationship with the Iesous carved into his flesh. Paul states in decisive and picturesque language his relationship with Iesous. He call it his marks in the flesh. In the Greek text the word 'marks' is the term 'stigmata' which means an incised mark that identifies ownership.
Do you claim to know the Iesous? Is He the Lord of you? Has knowing Him as Lord cost you something of great value? Have you fully invested in Him? Are you bearing the stigmata of Him?
Become fully invested in Him today and experience life in super-abundance.
For more information about Dr. Josiah Rich and his teaching ministry, please visit his website.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Iesous Our Only Healer
"For consider him that endured such contradiction (opposition) of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds." Heb. 12:3
We have been called to stand as irrefutable witnesses of the saving action of God on our behalf through the Iesous. The cosmic system in which we live stands in active opposition to our testimonies. Because this is so our faith-confession as the constantly believing ones will face opposition.
We affirm that the crucifixion of the Iesous and his subsequent standing up (perfect tense) out of the tomb (resurrection) has changed forever the milieu of naturalistic history and its primary assumption that holds that there have been no actions or events that have taken place outside of the mandated order of historical naturalism. However, the new event of the resurrection (Anastasis Nekron) stands in radical antithesis to such a belief.
During his public ministry and his passion the Iesous endured (Gk. Hupomeno; to remain under severe opposition without seeking to get out from under it be one's own efforts), until he completed his divine mission.
The resolute attitude of the Iesous to remain under severe and virulent opposition is lifted up and out of its unique historical milieu as an example for those saints and ourselves who were and are being persecuted for our faith-confession.
Why you ask? I'll give two basic reasons:
We have been called to stand as irrefutable witnesses of the saving action of God on our behalf through the Iesous. The cosmic system in which we live stands in active opposition to our testimonies. Because this is so our faith-confession as the constantly believing ones will face opposition.
We affirm that the crucifixion of the Iesous and his subsequent standing up (perfect tense) out of the tomb (resurrection) has changed forever the milieu of naturalistic history and its primary assumption that holds that there have been no actions or events that have taken place outside of the mandated order of historical naturalism. However, the new event of the resurrection (Anastasis Nekron) stands in radical antithesis to such a belief.
During his public ministry and his passion the Iesous endured (Gk. Hupomeno; to remain under severe opposition without seeking to get out from under it be one's own efforts), until he completed his divine mission.
The resolute attitude of the Iesous to remain under severe and virulent opposition is lifted up and out of its unique historical milieu as an example for those saints and ourselves who were and are being persecuted for our faith-confession.
Why you ask? I'll give two basic reasons:
- There are those who are intoxicated by the pale image of narcissism
- There are those who do not want to believe that we must all give an account of ourselves before the living God
These saints were provided a model of spirituality that was grounded in salvation history. Herein is concrete spirituality unencumbered by esoteric mysticism.
"Consider Him" is a call to reckon up, to weigh, to think about deeply and ruminate over the suffering of the Iesous. The suffering of the Iesous must be viewed as a rock or foundation upon which to stand in the time of persecution. Their suffering on behalf of their faith-confession must become an act of worship.
On the other hand the consequences of not looking to or considering the Iesous was to fall into a spiritual lethargy that would result in sickness of soul. Looking to and considering Iesous is the source of our spiritual health. He is intrinsically our spiritual health.
"...lest ye be wearied (Kamno, to be sick [mind-body medicine] weariness of the mind that may hinder physical recovery) and become lax in strong faith commitment.
Are you facing serious opposition for your faith-confession? Do not allow yourself to fall into self-pity. Be determined to grow ever stronger in your confession. You are not alone. Avoid sickness of soul today by considering the Iesous. We grow in spiritual health as we keep our focus on Him.
For more information about Dr. Josiah Rich and his teaching ministry, please visit his website.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
A Meditation on Preventing Spiritual Sickness
"Looking unto Iesoun, the author and finisher of our faith..." Heb. 12:2
There are times when the power of the scriptures are exceedingly majestic and overwhelming to me. The first three words of this verse always carry me into another realm. It is words like these 'Looking unto Iesoun' that must be unpacked as it were in order to fully appreciate their intrinsic power.
The writer of the letter to the Hebrews wrote his words of exhortation to a group of believers who were the recipients of intense persecution because of their faith commitment to the Iesous. They had suffered for the faith and were tempted by their suffering with the Iesous to walk away from their faith-confession.
The entire letter to the Hebrews spoke of their faith as precious or a possession of great and enduring value. They were told not to throw away their faith-confession because of hardship and pressure. The 11th chapter of Hebrews was given to those bewildered saints as an encouragement to persevere - "or keep on keeping on." Don't give up!
The words 'Looking unto Iesoun' are filled with meaning as an anchor of the soul. The word 'looking' means to look away from what is going on in the present tense and fix one's gaze upon Iesous. The word 'unto' is a preposition in the Greek text and it means - motion toward an object.
As the saints had been tempted toward walking away from their faith-confession the writer calls them back from the precipice of great spiritual damage by leaving the Iesous.
Where are you today? Where are you in relation to your faith - confession? Has some experience or situation 'tempted you' to walk away from your faith-confession?
Let me encourage you today to hold on to your faith-confession in the Iesous. It is more valuable than gold.
For more information about Dr. Josiah Rich's teaching and ministry, please visit his website.
There are times when the power of the scriptures are exceedingly majestic and overwhelming to me. The first three words of this verse always carry me into another realm. It is words like these 'Looking unto Iesoun' that must be unpacked as it were in order to fully appreciate their intrinsic power.
The writer of the letter to the Hebrews wrote his words of exhortation to a group of believers who were the recipients of intense persecution because of their faith commitment to the Iesous. They had suffered for the faith and were tempted by their suffering with the Iesous to walk away from their faith-confession.
The entire letter to the Hebrews spoke of their faith as precious or a possession of great and enduring value. They were told not to throw away their faith-confession because of hardship and pressure. The 11th chapter of Hebrews was given to those bewildered saints as an encouragement to persevere - "or keep on keeping on." Don't give up!
The words 'Looking unto Iesoun' are filled with meaning as an anchor of the soul. The word 'looking' means to look away from what is going on in the present tense and fix one's gaze upon Iesous. The word 'unto' is a preposition in the Greek text and it means - motion toward an object.
As the saints had been tempted toward walking away from their faith-confession the writer calls them back from the precipice of great spiritual damage by leaving the Iesous.
Where are you today? Where are you in relation to your faith - confession? Has some experience or situation 'tempted you' to walk away from your faith-confession?
Let me encourage you today to hold on to your faith-confession in the Iesous. It is more valuable than gold.
For more information about Dr. Josiah Rich's teaching and ministry, please visit his website.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Meditation on Love - Bears All Things in Silence Part V
"Bears all things." I Cor. 13:7
Our writer is not an individual who is given to either naive idealism or romantic sentiment with regard to love. He knows that neither of the above are real, he knows that they cannot bear up under various difficulties and trials of life. He presents love as supportive, vulnerable, compliant, ornery, and filled with tremendous meaning and power.
For the writer of these words "bears all things" therein lies the probing mysteries of life and love.
A widow came up to me after church service on one bright Sunday morning. She pulled me aside and told me that she had a highly intimate dream about her late husband the night before. She said that in the dream that he kissed her and she could still feel his kiss upon her lips. Then she said that she wanted to be with him and a short time later she was.
Their lives together were an example of a love that 'bears all things.'
What do these words really mean? In the Greek text it is written as 'panta stegei' - Panta is a very profound word and it means - all things individually and in their totality. The word 'bear' means to roof over with silence.
Here is a real love and a type of love that is rare in the world today. Here is a love that protects the object of its love. There is no revealing of the short comings or limitations of one's love to the world and its dismissive posturing for the fake and fraudulent over the warm and profoundly real.
Think about God's love for us as demonstrated in the Iesous. God knows who we are completely, and yet he does not reveal to the world all that he knows about us. He bears all things in his love for us.
If you have need of a love that will 'bear all things' with you - look to the Iesous.
For more information about Dr. Rich and his teaching ministry, please visit his website.
Our writer is not an individual who is given to either naive idealism or romantic sentiment with regard to love. He knows that neither of the above are real, he knows that they cannot bear up under various difficulties and trials of life. He presents love as supportive, vulnerable, compliant, ornery, and filled with tremendous meaning and power.
For the writer of these words "bears all things" therein lies the probing mysteries of life and love.
A widow came up to me after church service on one bright Sunday morning. She pulled me aside and told me that she had a highly intimate dream about her late husband the night before. She said that in the dream that he kissed her and she could still feel his kiss upon her lips. Then she said that she wanted to be with him and a short time later she was.
Their lives together were an example of a love that 'bears all things.'
What do these words really mean? In the Greek text it is written as 'panta stegei' - Panta is a very profound word and it means - all things individually and in their totality. The word 'bear' means to roof over with silence.
Here is a real love and a type of love that is rare in the world today. Here is a love that protects the object of its love. There is no revealing of the short comings or limitations of one's love to the world and its dismissive posturing for the fake and fraudulent over the warm and profoundly real.
Think about God's love for us as demonstrated in the Iesous. God knows who we are completely, and yet he does not reveal to the world all that he knows about us. He bears all things in his love for us.
If you have need of a love that will 'bear all things' with you - look to the Iesous.
For more information about Dr. Rich and his teaching ministry, please visit his website.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Divine Adequacy
God said to Moses, "I Am who I Am - This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I Am has sent you.'" Exodus 3:14
In Exodus chapter three the call narrative of Moses is recorded. The chapter opens with the famous encounter of Moses with the phenomenon of the burning thorn bush that was not consumed by the flames. It is further stated that upon this occasion from out of the midst of the burning bush the angel of the Lord appeared.
This was certainly a novel manner to attract someone's attention and it did catch the attention of Moses - now an 80 year old shepherd. Moses walked over to investigate the burning thorn bush that would not burn up, and his life changed.
Moses walked over to the burning bush to find out why the chemical action of fire did not destroy it and God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!"
God initiated Moses' interaction with himself and Moses replies to him with the stereotypical responses of the call narratives'. "Here I am."
From the midst of the burning bush God educates Moses about the terrible treatment his people have suffered and he tells Moses that he is going to send him to bring his people out of bondage.
Moses tells God that he is completely inadequate for such an enormous undertaking. Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go?..."
God spoke to Moses out from the burning bush that was not consumed by the fire a feat of power and adequacy seemingly lost on Moses when he speaks to God out from the midst of his self-consuming inadequacy.
He is God's perfect choice. Therefore God gives Moses access to himself by revealing to him his supportive name. God's name to Moses is divine revelation for a specific purpose. First, God delivers Moses from himself and then Moses will go forth as God's chosen leader for his people.
The name 'I Am that I Am; by which God revealed himself to Moses is an idiom in which something is defined in terms of itself. It is used when the speaker cannot be more explicit. Another way of stating these words are as follows:
Moses said, "I am not!" And God replied, "I Am."
Are you being held back by feelings of inadequacy? Do you make excuses for remaining in a stupor of self-limiting doubt? You need to lay hold of God's promise of support by faith. Faith is laying hold of who God is. Faith sees the opportunities while unbelief sees the obstacles.
God is waiting to provide his own adequacy for your situation. Let Him help you today.
For more information about Dr. Rich's ministry, please visit his website.
In Exodus chapter three the call narrative of Moses is recorded. The chapter opens with the famous encounter of Moses with the phenomenon of the burning thorn bush that was not consumed by the flames. It is further stated that upon this occasion from out of the midst of the burning bush the angel of the Lord appeared.
This was certainly a novel manner to attract someone's attention and it did catch the attention of Moses - now an 80 year old shepherd. Moses walked over to investigate the burning thorn bush that would not burn up, and his life changed.
Moses walked over to the burning bush to find out why the chemical action of fire did not destroy it and God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!"
God initiated Moses' interaction with himself and Moses replies to him with the stereotypical responses of the call narratives'. "Here I am."
From the midst of the burning bush God educates Moses about the terrible treatment his people have suffered and he tells Moses that he is going to send him to bring his people out of bondage.
Moses tells God that he is completely inadequate for such an enormous undertaking. Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go?..."
God spoke to Moses out from the burning bush that was not consumed by the fire a feat of power and adequacy seemingly lost on Moses when he speaks to God out from the midst of his self-consuming inadequacy.
He is God's perfect choice. Therefore God gives Moses access to himself by revealing to him his supportive name. God's name to Moses is divine revelation for a specific purpose. First, God delivers Moses from himself and then Moses will go forth as God's chosen leader for his people.
The name 'I Am that I Am; by which God revealed himself to Moses is an idiom in which something is defined in terms of itself. It is used when the speaker cannot be more explicit. Another way of stating these words are as follows:
"I Am He who is really and truly present for you - ready to help and to act."
Are you being held back by feelings of inadequacy? Do you make excuses for remaining in a stupor of self-limiting doubt? You need to lay hold of God's promise of support by faith. Faith is laying hold of who God is. Faith sees the opportunities while unbelief sees the obstacles.
God is waiting to provide his own adequacy for your situation. Let Him help you today.
For more information about Dr. Rich's ministry, please visit his website.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
A Meditation on Love Part IV
"Keeps no accounts of evil." I Cor. 13:5
Perhaps at this point you are questioning where the writer came up with this little gem. And you may even think that these words are too much and he is going too far and he is being unrealistic.
Is he some kind of radical mystic or hermit who is determined to impose upon others his fanatic musings? I am tempted to agree - up to a point. However, upon closer inspection of his words I find that my resistance to his words are just that - he has stepped into the forbidden territory of my defenses, he has come too close and I do not like it.
My awkward mimicry of the aloof and untouchable crustacean who cannot be touched has been vaporized before his disarming words and he has done so without apology. It is intrinsic to our natures to "keep accounts of evil." It makes me unique and marked off from others and I can insist that my story bears hearing.
"Keeps no accounts of evil" means that I must bear injustices without arrogant self-mockery as a subjective mechanism of bearing my soul. "Keep no account of evil" means that I have not enrolled in the college of victimism, and therefore ensnared my soul. In other words, I have not become a master of self-injury.
"Keeps no accounts of evil" also means that I have surrendered combativeness and bitterness because of what was done to me for the extraordinary gift of freedom because I have no culpable guilt for my response to repugnant behavior directed toward me.
If I meet repugnance with repugnance I indisputably become repugnant. We are not to be overcome by evil, but overcome (super supplant) evil with that which is qualitatively good.
Alas, the power to become an individual who does not keep account of evil has nothing to do with an innate ability on my part. It has everything to do with the incomparable Iesous who is constantly teaching me through his spirit-life within me why I must not constantly "keep accounts of evil" because he forgave me when I was his active enemy. He knows everything that I have done and he has given me the Grace-humility to confess it - without excuses.
If you have invested your life in keeping accounts of evils done to you you are not living. You need the Iesous to give you release from this self imposed dungeon. Ask him today.
For more information about Dr. Rich and his teaching ministry, please visit his website.
Perhaps at this point you are questioning where the writer came up with this little gem. And you may even think that these words are too much and he is going too far and he is being unrealistic.
Is he some kind of radical mystic or hermit who is determined to impose upon others his fanatic musings? I am tempted to agree - up to a point. However, upon closer inspection of his words I find that my resistance to his words are just that - he has stepped into the forbidden territory of my defenses, he has come too close and I do not like it.
My awkward mimicry of the aloof and untouchable crustacean who cannot be touched has been vaporized before his disarming words and he has done so without apology. It is intrinsic to our natures to "keep accounts of evil." It makes me unique and marked off from others and I can insist that my story bears hearing.
"Keeps no accounts of evil" means that I must bear injustices without arrogant self-mockery as a subjective mechanism of bearing my soul. "Keep no account of evil" means that I have not enrolled in the college of victimism, and therefore ensnared my soul. In other words, I have not become a master of self-injury.
"Keeps no accounts of evil" also means that I have surrendered combativeness and bitterness because of what was done to me for the extraordinary gift of freedom because I have no culpable guilt for my response to repugnant behavior directed toward me.
If I meet repugnance with repugnance I indisputably become repugnant. We are not to be overcome by evil, but overcome (super supplant) evil with that which is qualitatively good.
Alas, the power to become an individual who does not keep account of evil has nothing to do with an innate ability on my part. It has everything to do with the incomparable Iesous who is constantly teaching me through his spirit-life within me why I must not constantly "keep accounts of evil" because he forgave me when I was his active enemy. He knows everything that I have done and he has given me the Grace-humility to confess it - without excuses.
If you have invested your life in keeping accounts of evils done to you you are not living. You need the Iesous to give you release from this self imposed dungeon. Ask him today.
For more information about Dr. Rich and his teaching ministry, please visit his website.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
A Meditation on Love Part III
"Love vaunteth not itself" I Cor. 13:4
Our writer continues his very careful parsing of the characteristics of love by elevating a negation regarding what love is not. He elevates to expose a terrible negative to the full view of light. There is no darkness in real love (agape - self, sacrificial love). Real love is an elemental power and therefore nurtures the heart.
Real love does not seek to brag about what one possesses. Love does not brag. It does not act in inappropriate ways thinking to bring attention to itself. Love is enough for itself. There is satisfaction in resting within genuine love.
Counterfeit love or illegitimate love is insatiable because it knows that it is mere selfish fiction and therefore must frantically seek to feed its desire. This love, love as convenient fiction harms the self and others. It is driven by consuming desire that can never be fulfilled because the heart does not know love - genuine love.
In the Gospel documents there is a story of a woman who stood behind the Iesous and wept audibly before all in the room where he was. She knew the presence of love (agape) in the person of the Iesous. She knew that he was the Theanthropos, the God-man who liberates from the fiction of love and brings genuine love.
Her tears were formidable testimony of Grace. He really is who the biblical documents present him to be. God is love and the Iesous is proof of his love.
Have your been wounded by love as deception fiction? Has the experience made you bitter? You need to call upon the Iesous and let him lead you into the real love (self, sacrificing love) the he alone offers.
For more information about Dr. Rich or his teaching ministry, please his website.
Our writer continues his very careful parsing of the characteristics of love by elevating a negation regarding what love is not. He elevates to expose a terrible negative to the full view of light. There is no darkness in real love (agape - self, sacrificial love). Real love is an elemental power and therefore nurtures the heart.
Real love does not seek to brag about what one possesses. Love does not brag. It does not act in inappropriate ways thinking to bring attention to itself. Love is enough for itself. There is satisfaction in resting within genuine love.
Counterfeit love or illegitimate love is insatiable because it knows that it is mere selfish fiction and therefore must frantically seek to feed its desire. This love, love as convenient fiction harms the self and others. It is driven by consuming desire that can never be fulfilled because the heart does not know love - genuine love.
In the Gospel documents there is a story of a woman who stood behind the Iesous and wept audibly before all in the room where he was. She knew the presence of love (agape) in the person of the Iesous. She knew that he was the Theanthropos, the God-man who liberates from the fiction of love and brings genuine love.
Her tears were formidable testimony of Grace. He really is who the biblical documents present him to be. God is love and the Iesous is proof of his love.
Have your been wounded by love as deception fiction? Has the experience made you bitter? You need to call upon the Iesous and let him lead you into the real love (self, sacrificing love) the he alone offers.
For more information about Dr. Rich or his teaching ministry, please his website.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
A Meditation on Love Part II
"Love envieth not." I Cor. 13:4b
The writer is speaking about a vital characteristic of love. It is indeed a lofty view of love. Love is lofty and wonderful. Our writer is not presenting a romantic view of love that is based on emotional attraction. He is presenting a view of love that is founded upon the bedrock of compelling integrity.
The word for love that is used in this verse is the Greek word 'agape.' Agape is a noun of action. As such it speaks of a mind-set of unconquerable positive regard for its object. It is love free of narcissism and subjective demands.
How often have you seen persons who say that they love one another but who compete with one another for attention or the spotlight?
Love enveith not. This love is healthy. It builds up the one who is its object. 'Zeloi' is the word for envy. It can mean fervent passion for or against someone. Furthermore, it involves a desire not to injure or hurt the good witnessed in another person.
When one considers that love (agape) is long-suffering or exhibiting patience and understanding and that love is kind in that it actively bestows the excellence of good will upon another person it is powerful to realize that love also does not envy.
The type of love that we are considering is founded upon the reality of the love of God for us in the person of the Iesous. Paul told the saints at the churches in Galatia that 'Zeloi' or envy is among the works of the sarkos or flesh-nature and is therefore antithetical to the work of the Spirit of God.
Dear friend, do you desire to love others without envy? If so, God has provided the Iesous as our rescuer from darkness. The Iesous said that through him one would know the truth (as revealed in Him) and that truth would set one free.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things (the old worn out things or ancient things) are passed away; behold all things are become new (II Cor. 5:17).
For more information about Dr. Josiah Rich and his teaching ministry, please visit his website.
The writer is speaking about a vital characteristic of love. It is indeed a lofty view of love. Love is lofty and wonderful. Our writer is not presenting a romantic view of love that is based on emotional attraction. He is presenting a view of love that is founded upon the bedrock of compelling integrity.
The word for love that is used in this verse is the Greek word 'agape.' Agape is a noun of action. As such it speaks of a mind-set of unconquerable positive regard for its object. It is love free of narcissism and subjective demands.
How often have you seen persons who say that they love one another but who compete with one another for attention or the spotlight?
Love enveith not. This love is healthy. It builds up the one who is its object. 'Zeloi' is the word for envy. It can mean fervent passion for or against someone. Furthermore, it involves a desire not to injure or hurt the good witnessed in another person.
When one considers that love (agape) is long-suffering or exhibiting patience and understanding and that love is kind in that it actively bestows the excellence of good will upon another person it is powerful to realize that love also does not envy.
The type of love that we are considering is founded upon the reality of the love of God for us in the person of the Iesous. Paul told the saints at the churches in Galatia that 'Zeloi' or envy is among the works of the sarkos or flesh-nature and is therefore antithetical to the work of the Spirit of God.
Dear friend, do you desire to love others without envy? If so, God has provided the Iesous as our rescuer from darkness. The Iesous said that through him one would know the truth (as revealed in Him) and that truth would set one free.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things (the old worn out things or ancient things) are passed away; behold all things are become new (II Cor. 5:17).
For more information about Dr. Josiah Rich and his teaching ministry, please visit his website.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
A Meditation on Love Part I
I Cor. 13:1-4a
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal."
"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, and have not love, I am nothing."
"And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing."
"Love suffereth long (makrothumei - to suffer long i.e. exercising understanding, and patience toward persons."
Song of Solomon 8:7a
"Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it."
The writers of these words understood the powerful and primal reality of Love. They knew that real love does not seek to showcase itself by self-congratulatory displays of ability to speak in different languages. Without the substantive presence of love such displays are at best shallow hubris.
Nor is the ability to speak forth prophecy, and discern mysteries and spiritual knowledge or even to possess the faith that can move mountains without love an individual is nothing (ouden eimi - an absolute zero) in the Greek text.
This negation of ability or power extends to the giving of all of ones goods to feed the poor or sacrificing oneself by fire - without love such acts mean nothing.
In 'Vanity Faire,' William Thackery speaks of those persons who are so insubstantial that they have no backs to their heads. In other words they are mere masks.
In 'The Pilgrim's Progress,' Bunyan speaks of the town of Vanity, he writes: "...the name of the town is Vanity; and at the town there is a fair kept, called Vanity Fair...it beareth the name of Vanity Fair because the town where 'tis kept is lighter than vanity; and also because all that is there sold, or that cometh thither, is vanity."
The type of love that Paul writes about would be embraced and understood by Victor Fankl. This type of love satisfies man's search for meaning because it involves him completely. Paul further states that love sufferers long. The word in the Greek text not only embraces understanding and patience but also not given to impetuous anger. And not only is love long suffering it is also kind or contains the excellence of beneficience.
Love is not abusive. Love nurtures and builds up. Love never seeks to undermine one's self-esteem or betray or deceive.
Spiritual wisdom teaches that actions are weighed by love. Today, please know that if you have been wounded by someone who speaks of love and actions are otherwise, that is not love it is manipulation.
The Iesous loves you. His love for you is real as demonstrated by his sacrificial action on the cross. Greater love hath no one man than a man lay down his life for another.
For more information about Dr. Josiah Rich and his teaching ministry, please visit his website.
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal."
"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, and have not love, I am nothing."
"And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing."
"Love suffereth long (makrothumei - to suffer long i.e. exercising understanding, and patience toward persons."
Song of Solomon 8:7a
"Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it."
The writers of these words understood the powerful and primal reality of Love. They knew that real love does not seek to showcase itself by self-congratulatory displays of ability to speak in different languages. Without the substantive presence of love such displays are at best shallow hubris.
Nor is the ability to speak forth prophecy, and discern mysteries and spiritual knowledge or even to possess the faith that can move mountains without love an individual is nothing (ouden eimi - an absolute zero) in the Greek text.
This negation of ability or power extends to the giving of all of ones goods to feed the poor or sacrificing oneself by fire - without love such acts mean nothing.
In 'Vanity Faire,' William Thackery speaks of those persons who are so insubstantial that they have no backs to their heads. In other words they are mere masks.
In 'The Pilgrim's Progress,' Bunyan speaks of the town of Vanity, he writes: "...the name of the town is Vanity; and at the town there is a fair kept, called Vanity Fair...it beareth the name of Vanity Fair because the town where 'tis kept is lighter than vanity; and also because all that is there sold, or that cometh thither, is vanity."
The type of love that Paul writes about would be embraced and understood by Victor Fankl. This type of love satisfies man's search for meaning because it involves him completely. Paul further states that love sufferers long. The word in the Greek text not only embraces understanding and patience but also not given to impetuous anger. And not only is love long suffering it is also kind or contains the excellence of beneficience.
Love is not abusive. Love nurtures and builds up. Love never seeks to undermine one's self-esteem or betray or deceive.
Spiritual wisdom teaches that actions are weighed by love. Today, please know that if you have been wounded by someone who speaks of love and actions are otherwise, that is not love it is manipulation.
The Iesous loves you. His love for you is real as demonstrated by his sacrificial action on the cross. Greater love hath no one man than a man lay down his life for another.
For more information about Dr. Josiah Rich and his teaching ministry, please visit his website.
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