Be Ye Kind.... As Dear Children; And Walk In Love...
Grace For Grace And He Gives More Grace
"... And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath
forgiven you.
5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God
for a sweetsmelling savour.
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh
saints;
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
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.
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the
children of disobedience.
Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them..." Eph 6:32, 5:1-11.
"...For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more
highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of
faith.
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy
according to the proportion of faith;
Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence;
he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not
wise in your own conceits.
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
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 12:3-19.
Oh, what a bill to fill !! Surely, we can all see within ourselves how short we have so often
fallen from conformance with (the least of) these precepts and exhortations ! - So we so
often have to say with the Apostle: "I know that in me, that is my flesh dwells no good
thing.." It is very hard for the average person to confess that they are wrong; especially
when doing so will bring shame and conviction upon themselves for their perceived faults.
It is only the most hardened of individuals who have very little, if no sense of shame for
their evil deeds. The child of God, having a new and tender heart, being made so by Divine
Grace, will often mourn for the sin that remains in their fleshly nature, and so be made to
cry from time to time
"... For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do...
Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me...." "...O wretched man that I am! who shall
deliver me from the body of this death?..." Rom 7:19-24.
We must be converted and become (or return to the humble traits) of and as a little child -
Not "get" converted, but "be" converted, which implies that we must be wrought upon by
a higher power; even that of God. When Christ says we must humble ourselves, the
parallel scripture that 'compares scripture with scripture, and spiritual with spiritual' is
found in the expression of the Apostle Peter when he says "under the mighty hand of
God". The haughty and proud nature of man has no proclivity or inclination to humble
itself until wrought upon by God's power. God in His sovereignity is free to use whatever
means that pleases Himself to do this; for Jesus says that he that exalts himself shall be
abased, but he that humbles himself shall be exalted. God the Spirit brings His children
into humility in ways that suit His Own purpose; witness that of the humbling experiences
of Peter, Paul, The (parable of) The Prodigal son, David, Manesseh, Hezekiah,
Nebuchadnezzar and a host of others that gave (and gives) a divine demonstration of
God's sovereign power in humbling the proud nature of the flesh of man - and in the case
of Nebuchadnezzar it extracted from him one of the greatest statements of God's Power
and sovereignity over rebellious and proud man that is contained within the pages of the
sacred Scriptures:
"... He (Jehovah God) doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth:
and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?.."Dan 4:35.
"... Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his
ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase..." Dan 4:37.
"... This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that
the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and
setteth up over it the basest of men..." Dan 4:17. (Nebuchadnezzar's dream)
A Little Child
"... And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into
the kingdom of heaven.
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me..." Matt 18:2-5.
Jesus used these comparisons not absolutely, but in a way of illustration; nevertheless,
How wonderful are the humble, trusting graces of a little child when compared to the
average adult person, and even to the time when the little (very young) child begins to
some extent to develop in the ways of the world about them. Notice that the Apostle says
"As dear children", and not merely 'children' We admire the loving simplicity and trusting
spirit of a dear little child. These are some of their attributes that cause us to love them so.
They by nature are given to have complete trust in their parent, guardian, protector and
benefactor. They are not yet, or are just beginning to learn the ways of deception and
subtilty, which tendencies may be greatly enlarged as they grow into adulthood. At this
time their love and trust is without dissimulation. To dissemble means to hide under a
false appearance, or to seek to not make your intentions clearly known. Even children
begin to manifest these principles at a very early age; but what an honest world it would be
if we could retain the blessed nature of a little child in their humble nature! But Almighty
God, The Creator of all things, including human nature, has ordained otherwise; We must
progress through the various stages of development and growth according to His Will,
both in nature and in grace, because:
"...To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from
embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?
I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.
He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find
out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end... "Ecc 3:1-11.
Yet, here are the rules that we through grace are instructed to learn and always make our
guide in dealing with our brethren, and not only brethren, but all of our fellow men - as
much as in us lies; for God "... will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the
truth..." - whether they be of "...kings, and .. all that are in authority, or of the least of society, - - to the end that
we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour..." 1 Tim 2:2-4.
If we have not learned, or are not blessed to constantly remember these principles, how
often do we suffer in conflicts and sometimes dejection of mind when dealing with Christ's
humble, but sometimes ignorant children; as the light that is in us may seem to appear as
only darkness:
"... And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a
corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others,
I myself should be a castaway..." 1 Cor 9:25-27.
"...Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of
sin..." Heb 3:12-13.
"... Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom
is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted
word, which is able to save your souls..." James 1:17-21.
Jesus said: (Luke 12:40-49) "... Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when
ye think not.
Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all?
And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his
household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.
But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants
and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware,
and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.
And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be
beaten with many stripes.
But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto
whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him
they will ask the more.
I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
I believe the passage above refers primarily to the events of that age, and the foreboding
desolation that was coming upon that economy, but the lessons taught therein of
negligence, indifference, that are contained in these words of our Lord are still applicable
for our generations, for there must be a reckoning taken; For whatsover a man soweth,
that shall he also reap. He that sows to the flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption; and he
that sows in the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. This is not conditionalism;
this is just the way that God has ordered it. We must with great tribulation enter into the
kingdom of God experimentally speaking. Jesus says that he that shall save their own life
will lose it, and they that lose it will find it; The child of grace finds these to be so in their
experience as the pride of fleshly nature is burned from them, who are of
"...The circumcision which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in
the flesh..." Phil 3:3.
The Lord chastises His Own people in love as a father chastises his children in love. If
God's people were not yet wayward, there would be no need for chastisement. Yet it is a
fact. As a comparison, we are living in a world society that more and more advocates less
punishment and control of the criminal elements of this world; These seem to have the
predominent idea that things should just be "left to themselves" and everything will finally
work out alright. It seems that the practice of this system has already been tried thousands
of years ago, and look at the results when God gave up the world of mankind to their own
ways and deserts, when He no longer upheld that society in their moral and then literal
being: "...And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is
flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years..." Gen 6:3. The Spirit of the Lord
must strive with (or In) man, both in Providence and Grace to uphold him. It is a Deistical
notion to believe that God has in any way made a world, and then left it to run (down) on
it's own inertia:
"... Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith
unfeigned:
From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly
and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured
persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine..." 1 Tim 1:5:10.
- Therefore God intervenes within His creation. His people, called by His Grace, are a new
creation, created in Christ and called by His Own Spirit: If any man be in Christ, he is a
new creature, old things have passed away, and all things have become new.
"...For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be
remembered, nor come into mind.
But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a
rejoicing, and her people a joy.
And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no
more heard in her, nor the voice of crying..." Isa 65:17-19.
A very trying and perplexing circumstance that sometimes arises among brethren is when
those who would desire to have the preeminence among them arise in authority. These,
like Diotrephes of the Apostles's day are still around:
"...I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us
not.
Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and
not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth
them out of the church.
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth
evil hath not seen God.
Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that
our record is true..." 3 John 1:9-12.
I have seen this very thing happen, when brethren become so exalted within themselves
and of their supposed gifts and intellect (and favorite interpretations of scripture and
doctrines), that they would censor and exclude other worthy ministers and brethren.
"...For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more
highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of
faith.
It has not pleased God to give the same gifts to all His people, for there are:
"...diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers
kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will..."1 Cor 12:4-
11
The church, of course, is not now endowed with the extraordinary gifts that the Apostolic
church possessed, but the principles of diversity, and also of moderation and equality
according to Christ's distribution of His ministerial gifts among brethren conveyed in the
above scripture remain the same.
Humans are selfish animals by nature. As was said above, left to ourselves, we go from
bad to worse. We conform to Murphy's Law in this, and the Scriptures confirm this to be
true. - Try a few:
"... Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye
double minded.
Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up..." James 4:5-10.
"...The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand,
and seek God.
They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one..." Psa
14:2-3.
If it was not for God "Giving us more grace', and "grace for grace" to overcome these evils
of our nature through affliction and ensewing repentance and love we surely would long
since have become "...as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha..." Rom 9:29. When we are
brought low under the mighty Hand of God we will be thus humbled:
"... Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be
clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may
devour:
Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are
in the world.
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye
have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen..." 1 Pet 5:5-11.
How comforting it is to be enabled to believe from the inspired word, that when we have
experienced these trials with our brethren in common, God will " perfect, stablish,
strengthen, settle us - in His Love, Will and Purpose":
"... For.." No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it
yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be
healed.
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
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... Heb 11:12-15.
These exhortations were not written by inspiration of the Holy Ghost for the church of God
that we might be able to conform unto them by any inherent strength of our own; but they
were rather placed there for our learning and instruction in grace, that we might realize our
own insufficiency within our fleshly nature to do the works of God's holy Law, and that we
by nature, (even after regeneration of and by the Spirit) are not able to perform works of
righteousness in the sight of God at our fleshy option; For with the Apostle Paul in Rom 7,
we find "that good that we would do, we do not, and the evil that we would not do, that we do." - The
Apostle did not mean that he did not actually perform spiritual works, certainly, but that He
could only perform (these things) as He was led of the Spirit unto them, and as they were
fullfilled in him by the Spirit of Christ:
"...That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the
Spirit.
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not
the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness..." Rom
8:4-10.
What A blessing it is to be enabled to trust in Christ for all ! He is not only our All, but He
is in all of His people as God, both to will and also to do of His good pleasure, for it is the
Father's good pleasure to give unto them this kingdom, that they may eat and drink therein
of love and joy and peace in the Holy Ghost:
"... I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now
live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain... Gal 2:20-
21.
"... Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind,
meekness, longsuffering;
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ
forgave you, so also do ye.
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
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.
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..." Col 3:12-17.
Submitted I hope,
In Love of the Spirit
OAB
C Major - E Minor
"Sessions"-
..Arr. by A. Bailey.
I Will Return At The time Appointed
"...At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life..." Gen 18-14.
"...And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds;
as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain..." 2 Sam 23:4.
LM
Almighty God, Thy Will fulfill!
O! May our doubt and fear be still;
Though fear of death in us arise,
Yet, Thou art faithful, kind and wise.
At times Thy presence we can't feel,
And coldness o'er our heart doth steal;
Thou still art seated on Thy throne, -
Where Jesus feels our every groan.
Forlorn, dejected, sometimes lay,
Through sin, we trudge from day to day;
'Tis seldom we can ever see,
Above earth's cold and dreary sea;
Sometimes we're made to hope in Thee,
When Thou art pleased to set us free;
But must return, Thy suff'ring show
And in our flesh, Thy sorrows know.
'Oh, could we rest from day to day,
And wait in hope for Thy bright ray;
Then would our hours glide sweetly by,
From fear and death our soul would fly;
We'd raise above earth's mundane sphere,
When Thy sweet voice again we'll hear;
The charming strains, renew our soul,
And Thy dear Love our heart console;
These pleasing prospects to look o'er,
And see Thee as our Open Door;
Our hearts submissive, then would wait,
Obliv'ous to this earthly state;
O, Lord, no longer make delay,
O, come and with us ever stay;
Refresh our hearts with gentle rain,
And free these hearts from anxious pain;
Thy Will for us, suffice this day,
'Tis far enough, our feet to stray;
Return us to Thy ways of peace,
And give us now Thy sweet release.
Raise us again in Thine embrace,
To see again Thy lovely Face;
A while in patience, we'll press on,
Till all the cares of earth are gone.
*Copyright Dec 24, 2001
O. Allen Bailey
*This material may be freely copied and distributed, but shall not be altered or sold.
The Grace Of Humility by William Romaine -