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OCCUPY TILL I COME

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OCCUPY TILL I COME: EARTHLY USEFUL AND HEAVENLY MINDED – BY LIVING AND WALKING IN LOVE!

Talking about LOVE! Here is a didactic sense of measure, such that we don’t just say we have love, but we do LIVE and WALK in LOVE, knowing that love is of God; and it’s the lubricant for our life in Christ Jesus and for all mankind. Upon this we can Occupy In Christ by ‘Being Earthly Useful while Heavenly Minded’.
 
Love is an attitude, a deliberate choice, an exercise of the will, a choice of life and is not just a feeling, it is an expression of the nature of God. It is spiritual, divinely inspired and imbedded in the very hearts of all God’s human creation, and more importantly in the very nature of the redeemed child of God. Hence it’s not a doctrine, creed and dogmas. It outlived generation because it’s timeless and of God’s. God is love – 1 John 4:7–10.
 
Love is a FRUIT and not a GIFT. FRUITS are GROWN while GIFTS are IMPARTED. Genuine Bible love – Agape – is born and is a product of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 5:5; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:9).
Let’s consider love in diversity for a clearer understanding of the kind of love being implied in this context.
 
DEFINING THE THREE KINDS OF LOVE:
 
1. PHILEO: Grk (of the soul) – Love relationship in family – between parent and child. The Family kind of love. It also embodied love relationship towards friends and colleagues. It means to be fond of; it is based on FEELINGS and not on PRINCIPLE. It’s never used of man’s love to or for God. This is human or natural kind of love. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Genesis 8:19; Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21). This kind of love is however essential and crucial for a family bonding and wellbeing.
 
2. EROS: Grk (of the Physical body) – Sexual love; purely reserved for the married – within the bond of marriage. It’s based on PHYSICAL ATTRACTION. It’s neither for fornication nor adultery. Lust and immoral desires have gotten some into it, hence there’s a great act of PERVERSION in our societies today – and we are paying hugely for the consequences across the board. (Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 7:1-9; 1 Corinthians 6:15-20).
 
3. AGAPE: Grk (of the spirit) – God kind of love; unconditional, limitless, divine, spiritual. It transcends race, gender, generation, culture, family, physical, personal (self) etc. 1 Corinthians 13. It’s built on PRINCIPLE. Agape love even helps to ensure, STRENGTHEN and MAINTAIN the Phileo and Eros kind of love in all life endeavours. Agape love is based on PRINCIPLE – be it towards things or people.
Notably, the PHILEO OR EROS kinds of Love need to be controlled by AGAPE kind of love or else it will hinder our fellowship with God and leads to SIN acts. (E.g. EROS – 1 Corinthians 13:5; PHILEO – 1 Samuel 2:22-36).
 
Let’s not just say we have love, lets LIVE and WALK IN LOVE, for love is of the Spirit – Romans 5:5.
 
IT’S BY TIME TO LIVE AND WALK IN LOVE. LETS MAKE IT HAPPEN.
 
SELAH – PAUSE AND THINK.
 
SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS WORTH PONDERING IN CONTEXT:
 
“If we LIVE in the Spirit, let us also WALK in the Spirit” Galatians 5:25.
 
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 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” Ephesians 5:1-2.
 
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being ROOTED and GROUNDED IN LOVE, 18 may be able to COMPREHEND with all saints what is the BREADTH, and LENGTH, and DEPTH, and HEIGHT; 19 and to KNOW THE LOVE OF christ, which PASSETH (TRANSCENDS, SURPASSED) KNOWLEDGE (SENSE), that ye might be FILLED with all the FULNESS of God” Ephesians 3:17-19.

REV. CHUKIE MORSI
 
 

 

OCCUPY TILL I COME AS CHRIST’S AMBASSADOR

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OCCUPY TILL I COME AS CHRIST’S AMBASSADOR: THE HOLY SPIRIT DEFAULT LOVE THAT ENHANCES EARTHLY USEFULNESS AND HEAVENLY MINDEDNESS FOR AN AMBASSADOR!

“And hope maketh not ashamed; because THE LOVE of God is SHED (LAVISHED) abroad in our HEARTS (SPIRIT-BEING) by the Holy Ghost which is GIVEN unto us . . . 8 But God commendeth his LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:5, 8.

The Holy Spirit default LOVE of God for God’s AMBASSADOR FOR CHRIST, is the only purpose driven enabling in the grace, to keep the enemy and cohorts at bay, and to advance the kingdom cause. And here is a didactic sense of measure, such that we don’t just say we have love, but we do LIVE and WALK in the default LOVE of God, knowing that LOVE is God and is of God; and it’s the default LOVE is the lubricant for our life in Christ Jesus and for all mankind. Take the Holy Spirit out of God’s love, one is then bound to have an adulteration and distortion of the love context that’s built on sentiment, prejudice and dissimulation. For its upon the Holy Spirit default LOVE for God, we can then OCCUPY in Christ until he comes to “BEING EARTHLY USEFUL and HEAVENLY MINDED” in the grace, wherein we stand in the faith.

“Beloved, let us LOVE one another: for LOVE is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; FOR GOD IS LOVE. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins . . . 16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. GOD IS LOVE; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: BECAUSE AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” 1 John 4:7–10, 16-18.

Love is an attitude, and of a deliberate and intentional choice, and an exercise of the will, and a gracious choice to do life and live godly in Christ Jesus stead; and it’s not just a feeling, it is an expression of the nature and person of God by the Holy Spirit in Christ Jesus, hence it’s spiritual, divinely inspired and imbedded in the very human hearts [spirit-being] of all God’s human creation that’s reborn of God in Christ Jesus; and more importantly, it’s in the very nature of the redeemed child of God, filled and led by the Holy Spirit to fulfil purpose meaningfully. The Holy Spirit default love is not a doctrine, creed and dogmas. The Holy Spirit default love outlived generations because it’s timeless and it’s of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. For God is love personified in our spirit-being for our well-being in Christ Jesus.

The Holy Spirit default LOVE of God is a FRUIT and not a GIFT. And FRUITS are GROWN while GIFTS are IMPARTED. Genuine Bible love – AGAPE – is for the reborn of God and is a product of the Holy Spirit that indwells in us as written:

“And hope maketh not ashamed; because THE LOVE of God is SHED (LAVISHED) abroad in our HEARTS (SPIRIT-BEING) by the Holy Ghost which is GIVEN unto us . . . 8 But God commendeth his LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:5, 8.

“But the FRUIT of the Spirit is LOVE, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” Galatians 5:22-23.

“For the FRUIT of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth” Ephesians 5:9.

To OCCUPY TILL I COME as Christ’s ambassador, is by doing life and living godly by the Holy Spirit default LOVE; and this default of LOVE, gives the enabling to enhance earthly usefulness and heavenly mindedness for an ambassador for Christ. Let’s therefore consider LOVE in diversity for a clearer understanding of the various kinds of LOVE being implied in this context that’s applicable for the good of humans.

DEFINING THE THREE KINDS OF LOVE THAT AFFECTS THE HUMANS – BODY, SOUL AND SPIRIT [1 THESSALONIANS 5:23; HEBREWS 4:12-13]:

  1. The PHILEO love: Grk (of the soul) – The Love relationship in family – which is between parent and child, otherwise, the Family kind of love. It also embodied love relationship towards friends and colleagues. It means to be fond of; it is based on FEELINGS and not on PRINCIPLE. It’s never used of man’s love to or for God. This is human or natural kind of love. [Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Genesis 8:19; Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21]. This kind of love is however essential and crucial for a family bonding and wellbeing.
  2. The EROS Love: Grk (of the Physical body) – The Sexual kind of love, which is pure and purely reserved for the married – within the bond of marriage. It’s based on PHYSICAL ATTRACTION. It’s neither for fornication nor adultery. Unfortunately, lust and immoral desires have gotten some into it, hence there’s a great act of PERVERSION, DISTORTION and ADULTERATION in our societies today – and we are paying hugely for the consequences and effects across the board. [Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 7:1-9; 1 Corinthians 6:15-20].
  3. The AGAPE Love: Grk (of the spirit) – The God kind of love; the kind of love that’s unconditional, limitless, divine and spiritual. It transcends race, gender, generation, culture, family, physical, personal (self) etc. The love without sentiments, prejudice and dissimulation – [1 Corinthians 13:1-13]. It’s built on PRINCIPLE and does not demand but gives. Agape love even helps to ENSURE, STRENGTHEN and MAINTAIN the vitality of the phileo and the EROS kind of love in all life endeavours. Agape love is a faith-based principle on the word of God – which is towards empowering people as AMBASSADOR FOR CHRIST in doing life and living godly in Christ Jesus stead. Amen.

Notably, the PHILEO or EROS kinds of Love, need to be controlled and subjected by the AGAPE kind of love or else it will hinder and affects our fellowship with God and leads to unwelcome SIN and sinful acts. [E.g. EROS – 1 Corinthians 13:5; PHILEO – 1 Samuel 2:22-36].

Therefore, as AMBASSADOR FOR CHRIST, let’s not just say we have love, but let’s go forth in the grace, and LIVE and WALK in the Holy Spirit default LOVE, knowing that love is of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit is given to only the Believer’s [reborn] of God in Christ Jesus stead. Amen.

“And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide WITH you for ever; 17 even the Spirit of truth; whom THE WORLD CANNOT RECEIVE, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth WITH you, and shall be IN you”  John 14:16-17.

Dear friend and beloved of God in Christ Jesus, just know that’s it’s a high time to LIVE and WALK in love. Lets make it happen, for the charge – OCCUPY TILL I COME – as AMBASSADOR FOR CHRIST, is the essence; and by the Holy Spirit of LOVE default, the Believer’s in Christ Jesus can then enhances earthly usefulness and the heavenly mindedness.

SELAH – PAUSE AND THINK.

SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS WORTH PONDERING IN CONTEXT:

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a NEW CREATURE: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.

“If we LIVE in the Spirit, let us also WALK in the Spirit” Galatians 5:25.

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 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” Ephesians 5:1-2.

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being ROOTED and GROUNDED IN LOVE, 18 may be able to COMPREHEND with all saints what is the BREADTH, and LENGTH, and DEPTH, and HEIGHT; 19 and to KNOW THE LOVE OF christ, which PASSETH (TRANSCENDS,  SURPASSED) KNOWLEDGE (SENSE), that ye might be FILLED with all the FULNESS of God” Ephesians 3:17-19.

“But the FRUIT of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” Galatians 5:22-23/NKJV

“For the FRUIT of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth” Ephesians 5:9/NKJV.

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [that is, separate you from profane and vulgar things, make you pure and whole and undamaged—consecrated to Him—set apart for His purpose]; and may your SPIRIT and SOUL and BODY be kept complete and [be found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” 1 Thessalonians 5:23/Amplified.

“For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the SOUL and SPIRIT [the completeness of a person], and of both JOINTS and MARROW [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, and revealed to the eyes of Him with whom we have to give account” Hebrews 4:12-13/Amplified.

REV. CHUKIE MORSI

REMEMBERING THE MEMORABLE – “SAINT VALENTINE”

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REMEMBERING THE MEMORABLE – “SAINT VALENTINE”: WISHING YOU A HAPPY “SAINT VALENTINE’S” – LOVE AND LOVERS DAY!

“This is my commandment, That ye LOVE one another, as I have LOVED you. 13 GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye DO whatsoever I command you” John 15:12-14.

LOVE IS AT A COST. God gave up His Son [Jesus Christ] for it. And Jesus Christ gave up His life for it. And the Priest – SAINT VALENTINE – gave up His life for it, hence there’s SAINT VALENTINE’S DAY today.

WHAT ARE YOU GIVING UP, FOR YOU TO ENSURE AND ASSURE THAT ‘LOVE’ THRIVES AND LIVES IN YOU AND THROUGH TODAY?

The Priest – SAINT VALENTINE, paid with his life to give love and lovers an opportunity to ensure their assured love to each other. And on a day and date as this day and date, he died in honour for his good and goodness to others – indicating that LOVE IS AT A COST. It’s not cheap and must not be cheapen by any – and only those who knows and understands the worth can truly appreciate the cause of the Priest – SAINT VALENTINE!

THEREFORE, I SAY TO YOU:

* Let THERE be LOVE.

* Let’s CELEBRATE LOVE.

* Let LOVE be Celebrated.

* Let LOVE thrive and be kept alive and ignited always.

* Let LOVE always rule and reign supreme.

* Let LOVE be memorable within you at a cost.

FOR LOVE IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIFT, GIVEN TO US TO SHARE IN CHRIST JESUS STEAD. AMEN.

May You KNOW and UNDERSTAND the essence of Saint VALENTINE’S Day in Love; and cautiously, graciously and gracefully Enjoy your Day and moment in LOVE accordingly and irrespectively.

However, it’s more gracious that you KNOW the LOVE Of Christ which SURPASSES, TRANSCENDS and SUPERCEDES the SENSE Knowledge as you mark and celebrate the Saint VALENTINE’S Day.

SELAH – PAUSE AND THINK!

SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS WORTH PONDERING IN CONTEXT:

“And HOPE maketh not ashamed; because the LOVE of God is SHED abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is GIVEN unto us . . . But God COMMENDETH his LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet SINNERS, Christ DIED for us” Romans 5:5, 8.

“. . . 17 that Christ may DWELL in your HEARTS by FAITH; that ye, being ROOTED and GROUNDED in LOVE, 18 may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the BREADTH, and LENGTH, and DEPTH, and HEIGHT; 19 And to KNOW the LOVE of Christ, which passeth (TRANSCENDS, SURPASSED)  knowledge (FIVE SENSE), that ye might be FILLED with all the FULNESS of God. . .” Ephesians 3:14-21/Emphasis Mine.

REV. CHUKIE MORSI

“SAINT VALENTINE” – MEMORABLE REMEMBRANCE DAY

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“SAINT VALENTINE” – MEMORABLE REMEMBRANCE DAY: “SAINT VALENTINE’S” DAY TO SALVAGE LOVERS LOVE IN MARRIAGE!

LOVE! The most BEAUTIFUL, GRACIOUS and GRACEFUL gift, that’s GIVEN to us to SHARE in life and grace, is without sentiments, prejudice and dissimulation, in Christ Jesus stead. Amen.

“This is my commandment, That ye LOVE one another, as I have LOVED you. 13 GREATER LOVE hath no man than this, that a MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS. 14 Ye ARE my friends, if ye DO whatsoever I command you” John 15:12-14.

You need to know that genuine LOVE IS AT A COST – that’s what this day of valentine’s is all about to promote. And LOVE IS SACRIFICIAL, that’s what this day is all about to salvage from the self-centeredness and self-gratification person’s about us. Love should be irrespective among us, so that we all can see each other through the love that’s beyond walls and borders, religion, creed, status, region, tongue and gender and such like.

“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but FAITH which worketh by LOVE . . . 13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto LIBERTY [FREEDOM]; only use not LIBERTY  [FREEDOM] for an occasion to the flesh, but by LOVE SERVE one another” Galatians 5:6, 13.

The Holy Spirit led LOVE doesn’t DEMAND for LOVE – instead it GIVES LOVE – Unreservedly And Lavishly; it thus means that a genuine LOVE that’s at work doesn’t DEMAND for LOVE from others, instead it GIVES [SUPPLIES] LOVE lavishly to synergised HOPE and FAITH in any situation of doing life and living godly by God in Christ Jesus stead. Amen.

Let’s remember that God gave up His Son [Jesus Christ] for love toward us – and at a spiritual cost and sacrifice. And Jesus Christ gave up His life for love – at a spiritual cost and sacrifice. And the Priest – SAINT VALENTINE – gave up His life for love – at a human [physical] cost and sacrifice. This is the reason there’s SAINT VALENTINE’S memorable DAY of remembrance today. It’s the spiritual realm that gives life and birth to the physical realm. And you can give love when love is at a default in your being as expected of the reborn of God in Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit that dwells in us. [Romans 5:5; John 14:16-17]

WHAT ARE YOU GIVING UP, FOR YOU TO ENSURE AND ASSURE THAT ‘LOVE’ THRIVES AND LIVES IN YOU AND THROUGH TODAY FOR THE GOOD OF THE YOU AND HUMANITY.

The Priest – SAINT VALENTINE, paid with his life to give love and lovers an opportunity to ensure their assured love to each other. And on a day and date as this day and date, he died in honour for his good and goodness to others – indicating that LOVE IS AT A COST. It’s not cheap and must not be cheapen by any – and only those who knows and understands the worth can truly appreciate the cause of the Priest – SAINT VALENTINE!

Therefore, I say to you:

* Let THERE be LOVE in all you.

* Live to CELEBRATE LOVE always and not only for a moment.

* There is NO FEAR in LOVE – genuine love cast out fears and mistrust.

* Give LOVE a chance to be Celebrated in others.

* Let LOVE be – beyond walls and borders, and irrespective.

* Let LOVE thrive and be kept alive and ignited always in your relationship.

* Let LOVE always rules and reign supreme in your relationship.

* Let LOVE be memorable within you at any cost and sacrifice.

* Let LOVE be the hub of motivation in all you do

And I do pray: May You KNOW and UNDERSTAND the essence of Saint VALENTINE’S Day in making LOVE a reality; and may you intentionally, cautiously, graciously and gracefully ensure that you enjoy your Day and moment in LOVE accordingly and irrespectively.

Ensure, that you KNOW the LOVE Of Christ which SURPASSES, TRANSCENDS and SUPERCEDES the SENSE Knowledge as you mark and celebrate the Saint VALENTINE’S Day of LOVE in love.

SELAH – PAUSE AND THINK!

SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS WORTH PONDERING IN CONTEXT:

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye LOVE one another; as I have LOVED you, that ye also LOVE one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have LOVE one to another” John 13:34-35

“And HOPE maketh not ashamed; because the LOVE of God is SHED abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is GIVEN unto us . . . But God COMMENDETH his LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet SINNERS, Christ DIED for us” Romans 5:5, 8.

“. . . 17 that Christ may DWELL in your HEARTS by FAITH; that ye, being ROOTED and GROUNDED in LOVE, 18 may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the BREADTH, and LENGTH, and DEPTH, and HEIGHT; 19 And to KNOW the LOVE of Christ, which passeth (TRANSCENDS, SURPASSED)  knowledge (FIVE SENSE), that ye might be FILLED with all the FULNESS of God. . .” Ephesians 3:14-21/Emphasis Mine.

“Behold, what MANNER (INCREDIBLE QUALITY) of LOVE the Father hath BESTOWED (LAVISHED) upon us, that we should be CALLED the sons of God: therefore the world KNOWETH us not, because it KNEW him not” 1 John 3:1/Emphasis Mine.

“For God so LOVED the world, that he GAVE his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” John 3:16.

“. . . 25 Husbands, LOVE your wives, even as Christ also LOVED the church, and GAVE himself for it . . .” Ephesians 5:22-33.

“Herein is our LOVE made PERFECT [COMPLETE, MATURE, WHOLE], that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE; BUT PERFECT LOVE CASTETH OUT FEAR: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” 1 John 5:17-18.

REV. CHUKIE MORSI

OCCUPY TILL I COME – IN GOD’S LOVE

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OCCUPY TILL I COME – IN GOD’S LOVE: GOD’S LOVE ENHANCES EARTHLY USEFULNESS AND HEAVENLY MINDEDNESS IN CHRIST JESUS!

“And HOPE maketh not ASHAMED; because THE LOVE of God is SHED (LAVISHED) abroad in our HEARTS (SPIRIT-BEING) by the Holy Ghost which is GIVEN unto us . . . 8 But God COMMENDETH his LOVE toward us, in that, while we were YET SINNERS, Christ DIED for us” Romans 5:5, 8.

Talking about LOVE – I mean the LOVE of God in Christ Jesus, that transcends and surpasses the human sense [see, hear, smell, taste, touch/feel] knowledge of love. Herein, I will be laying out a didactic sense of measure of God’s love in Christ Jesus, such that we don’t just say we HAVE LOVE, but we can boldly say, we DO LIVE and WALK in God’s LOVE unreservedly, knowing that LOVE in essence is purely and firstly of God, for God is love [1 John 4:8, 16]; and God’s LOVE, is the lubricant for our life in Christ Jesus and for all mankind. And when an individual come to KNOW THIS LOVE OF GOD that surpasses and transcends our sense knowledge of love, we can then OCCUPY effectively and efficiently in Christ Jesus until He comes, by “BEING EARTHLY USEFUL while HEAVENLY MINDED” in humanity.

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being ROOTED and GROUNDED IN LOVE, 18 may be able to COMPREHEND with all saints what is the BREADTH, and LENGTH, and DEPTH, and HEIGHT; 19 and to KNOW THE LOVE OF christ, which PASSETH (TRANSCENDED,  SURPASSED) KNOWLEDGE (SENSE KNOWLEDGE – SEE, HEAR, TASTE, SMELL, TOUCH/FEEL), that ye might be FILLED with all the FULNESS of God” Ephesians 3:17-19/Emphasis Mine.

Love is an ATTITUDE, a deliberate choice, an exercise of the will, a choice of life and is not just a feeling, it is an expression of the nature of God. It is spiritual, divinely inspired and imbedded in the very hearts of all God’s human creation, and more importantly in the very nature of the redeemed child of God. Hence, it’s not a doctrine, creed and dogmas. It outlived generation because it’s timeless and of God’s. For God is love as written:

“Beloved, let us LOVE one another: for LOVE is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; FOR GOD IS LOVE. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins . . . 16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. GOD IS LOVE; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: BECAUSE AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” 1 John 4:7–10, 16-18.

Love is a FRUIT and not a GIFT. FRUITS are GROWN while GIFTS are IMPARTED. Genuine Bible love – Agape – is born and is a product of the Holy Spirit that indwells in us – (Romans 5:5, 8; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:9).

Let’s consider love in diversity for a clearer understanding of the kind of love being implied in this context.

DEFINING THE THREE KINDS OF LOVE:

1. PHILEO: Grk (of the soul) – Love relationship in family – between parent and child. The Family kind of love. It also embodied love relationship towards friends and colleagues. It means to be fond of; it is based on FEELINGS and not on PRINCIPLE. It’s never used of man’s love to or for God. This is human or natural kind of love. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Genesis 8:19; Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21). This kind of love is however essential and crucial for a family bonding and wellbeing.

2. EROS: Grk (of the Physical body) – Sexual love; purely reserved for the married – within the bond of marriage. It’s based on PHYSICAL ATTRACTION. It’s neither for fornication nor adultery. Lust and immoral desires have gotten some into it, hence there’s a great act of PERVERSION in our societies today – and we are paying hugely for the consequences across the board. (Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 7:1-9; 1 Corinthians 6:15-20).

3. AGAPE: Grk (of the spirit) – God kind of love; unconditional, limitless, divine, spiritual. It transcends race, gender, generation, culture, family, physical, personal (self) etc. 1 Corinthians 13. It’s built on PRINCIPLE. Agape love even helps to ensure, STRENGTHEN and MAINTAIN the Phileo and Eros kind of love in all life endeavours. Agape love is based on PRINCIPLE – be it towards things or people.

Notably, the PHILEO OR EROS kinds of Love need to be controlled by AGAPE kind of love or else it will hinder our fellowship with God and leads to SIN acts. (E.g. EROS – 1 Corinthians 13:5; PHILEO – 1 Samuel 2:22-36).

Let’s not just say we have love, lets LIVE and WALK IN LOVE, for love is of the Spirit – Romans 5:5.

IT’S BY TIME TO LIVE AND WALK IN LOVE. LETS MAKE IT HAPPEN. FOR THE CHARGE – OCCUPY TILL I COME – IN LOVE ENHANCES EARTHLY USEFULNESS AND HEAVENLY MINDEDNESS.

SELAH – PAUSE AND THINK.

SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS WORTH PONDERING IN CONTEXT:

“If we LIVE in the Spirit, let us also WALK in the Spirit” Galatians 5:25.

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 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” Ephesians 5:1-2.

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being ROOTED and GROUNDED IN LOVE, 18 may be able to COMPREHEND with all saints what is the BREADTH, and LENGTH, and DEPTH, and HEIGHT; 19 and to KNOW THE LOVE OF christ, which PASSETH (TRANSCENDED,  SURPASSED) KNOWLEDGE (SENSE KNOWLEDGE – SEE, HEAR, TASTE, SMELL, TOUCH/FEEL), that ye might be FILLED with all the FULNESS of God” Ephesians 3:17-19/Emphasis Mine.

“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but FAITH WHICH WORKETH BY LOVE . . . 13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but BY LOVE SERVE one another. 14 For all the LAW IS FULFILLED IN ONE WORD, even in this; Thou shalt LOVE thy neighbour as thyself . . . 22 But the FRUIT of the Spirit is LOVE, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” Galatians 5:6, 13-14, 22-23.

“For the FRUIT of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth” Ephesians 5:9/NKJV.

“Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having LOVED his own which were in the world, he LOVED them unto the end . . . 34 A NEW COMMANDMENT I give unto you, That ye LOVE one another; as I have LOVED you, that ye also LOVE one another. 35 By this shall ALL MEN KNOW THAT YE ARE MY DISCIPLES, if ye have LOVE one to another” John 13:1 34-35.

“And from Jesus Christ, who is the FAITHFUL WITNESS, and the FIRST BEGOTTEN of the dead, and THE PRINCE of the kings of the earth. Unto him that LOVED us, and WASHED us from our sins in his own blood, 6 and hath MADE us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” Revelation 1:5-6.

“As the Father hath LOVED me, so have I LOVED you: CONTINUE YE IN MY LOVE. 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. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye LOVE one another, as I have LOVED you. 13 Greater LOVE hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” John 15:9-14.

“For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” John 3:16-18.

REV. CHUKIE MORSI

OCCUPY TILL I COME – IN LOVE

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OCCUPY TILL I COME – IN LOVE: LOVE ENHANCES EARTHLY USEFULNESS AND HEAVENLY MINDEDNESS!

“And hope maketh not ashamed; because THE LOVE of God is SHED (LAVISHED) abroad in our HEARTS (SPIRIT-BEING) by the Holy Ghost which is GIVEN unto us . . . 8 But God commendeth his LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:5, 8.

Talking about LOVE! Here is a didactic sense of measure, such that we don’t just say we have love, but we do LIVE and WALK in LOVE, knowing that love is of God; and it’s love is the lubricant for our life in Christ Jesus and for all mankind. Upon this we can Occupy In Christ until he comes by “BEING EARTHLY USEFUL WHILE HEAVENLY MINDED”.

Love is an ATTITUDE, a deliberate choice, an exercise of the will, a choice of life and is not just a feeling, it is an expression of the nature of God. It is spiritual, divinely inspired and imbedded in the very hearts of all God’s human creation, and more importantly in the very nature of the redeemed child of God. Hence it’s not a doctrine, creed and dogmas. It outlived generation because it’s timeless and of God’s. For God is love as written:

“Beloved, let us LOVE one another: for LOVE is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; FOR GOD IS LOVE. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins . . . 16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. GOD IS LOVE; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: BECAUSE AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” 1 John 4:7–10, 16-18.

Love is a FRUIT and not a GIFT. FRUITS are GROWN while GIFTS are IMPARTED. Genuine Bible love – Agape – is born and is a product of the Holy Spirit that indwells in us – (Romans 5:5, 8; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:9).

Let’s consider love in diversity for a clearer understanding of the kind of love being implied in this context.

DEFINING THE THREE KINDS OF LOVE:

*1. PHILEO: Greek (of the soul) – Love relationship in family – between parent and child. The Family kind of love. It also embodied love relationship towards friends and colleagues. It means to be fond of; it is based on FEELINGS and not on PRINCIPLE. It’s never used of man’s love to or for God. This is human or natural kind of love. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Genesis 8:19; Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21). This kind of love is however essential and crucial for a family bonding and wellbeing.

*2. EROS: Greek (of the Physical body) – Sexual love; purely reserved for the married – within the bond of marriage. It’s based on PHYSICAL ATTRACTION. It’s neither for fornication nor adultery. Lust and immoral desires have gotten some into it, hence there’s a great act of PERVERSION in our societies today – and we are paying hugely for the consequences across the board. (Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 7:1-9; 1 Corinthians 6:15-20).

*3. AGAPE: Greek (of the spirit) – God kind of love; unconditional, limitless, divine, spiritual. It transcends race, gender, generation, culture, family, physical, personal (self) etc. 1 Corinthians 13. It’s built on PRINCIPLE. Agape love even helps to ensure, STRENGTHEN and MAINTAIN the Phileo and Eros kind of love in all life endeavours. Agape love is based on PRINCIPLE – be it towards things or people.

Notably, the PHILEO OR EROS kinds of Love need to be controlled by AGAPE kind of love or else it will hinder our fellowship with God and leads to SIN acts. (E.g. EROS – 1 Corinthians 13:5; PHILEO – 1 Samuel 2:22-36).

Let’s not just say we have love, lets LIVE and WALK IN LOVE, for love is of the Spirit – Romans 5:5.

IT’S BY TIME TO LIVE AND WALK IN LOVE. LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN. FOR THE CHARGE – OCCUPY TILL I COME – IN LOVE ENHANCES EARTHLY USEFULNESS AND HEAVENLY MINDEDNESS.

SELAH – PAUSE AND THINK.

SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS WORTH PONDERING IN CONTEXT:

“If we LIVE in the Spirit, let us also WALK in the Spirit” Galatians 5:25.

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 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” Ephesians 5:1-2.

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being ROOTED and GROUNDED IN LOVE, 18 may be able to COMPREHEND with all saints what is the BREADTH, and LENGTH, and DEPTH, and HEIGHT; 19 and to KNOW THE LOVE OF christ, which PASSETH (TRANSCENDS,  SURPASSED) KNOWLEDGE (SENSE), that ye might be FILLED with all the FULNESS of God” Ephesians 3:17-19.

“But the FRUIT of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” Galatians 5:22-23/NKJV

“For the FRUIT of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth” Ephesians 5:9/NKJV.

REV. CHUKIE MORSI

REMEMBERING THE MEMORABLE – “SAINT VALENTINE

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REMEMBERING THE MEMORABLE – “SAINT VALENTINE”: WISHING YOU A HAPPY “SAINT VALENTINE’S” – LOVE AND LOVERS DAY!

“This is my commandment, That ye LOVE one another, as I have LOVED you. 13 GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye DO whatsoever I command you” John 15:12-14.

LOVE IS AT A COST. God gave up His Son [Jesus Christ] for it. And Jesus Christ gave up His life for it. And the Priest – SAINT VALENTINE – gave up His life for it, hence there’s SAINT VALENTINE’S  DAY today.

WHAT ARE YOU GIVING UP, FOR YOU TO ENSURE AND ASSURE THAT ‘LOVE’ THRIVES AND LIVES IN YOU AND THROUGH TODAY?

The Priest – SAINT VALENTINE, paid with his life to give love and lovers an opportunity to ensure their assured love to each other. And on a day and date as this day and date, he died in honour for his good and goodness to others – indicating that LOVE IS AT A COST. It’s not cheap and must not be cheapen by any – and only those who knows and understands the worth can truly appreciate the cause of the Priest – SAINT VALENTINE!

THEREFORE I SAY TO YOU:

* Let THERE be LOVE.

* Let’s CELEBRATE LOVE.

* Let LOVE be Celebrated.

* Let LOVE thrive and be kept alive and ignited always.

* Let LOVE always rule and reign supreme.

* Let LOVE be memorable within you at a cost.

FOR LOVE IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIFT, GIVEN TO US TO SHARE IN CHRIST JESUS STEAD. AMEN.

May You KNOW and UNDERSTAND the essence of Saint VALENTINE’S Day in Love; and cautiously, graciously and gracefully Enjoy your Day and moment in LOVE accordingly and irrespectively.

However, it’s more gracious that you KNOW the LOVE Of Christ which SURPASSES, TRANSCENDS and SUPERCEDES the SENSE Knowledge as you mark and celebrate the Saint VALENTINE’S Day.

SELAH – PAUSE AND THINK!

SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS WORTH PONDERING IN CONTEXT:

“And HOPE maketh not ashamed; because the LOVE of God is SHED abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is GIVEN unto us . . . But God COMMENDETH his LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet SINNERS, Christ DIED for us” Romans 5:5, 8.

“. . . 17 that Christ may DWELL in your HEARTS by FAITH; that ye, being ROOTED and GROUNDED in LOVE, 18 may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the BREADTH, and LENGTH, and DEPTH, and HEIGHT; 19 And to KNOW the LOVE of Christ, which passeth (TRANSCENDS, SURPASSED)  knowledge (FIVE SENSE), that ye might be FILLED with all the FULNESS of God. . .” Ephesians 3:14-21/Emphasis Mine.

REV. CHUKIE MORSI

DEFINING LOVE IN GOD’S TERMS

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DEFINING LOVE IN GOD’S TERMS: GOD IS LOVE AND LOVE PERSONIFIED!

Defining Love? Which Love? What kind of Love? How do you define genuine love? In your terms or God’s terms? The LOVE that’s WORTH pondering by you – is it the LOVE made and built of SENSE KNOWLEDGE or The Love born of REVELATION KNOWLEDGE?

“Beloved, let us [unselfishly] LOVE and seek the best for one another, for LOVE is from God; and everyone who LOVES [others] is born of God and knows God [through personal experience]. 8 The one who DOES NOT LOVE has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did KNOW Him], FOR GOD IS LOVE. [He is the ORIGINATOR of LOVE, and it is an enduring attribute of His NATURE.] . . . 16 We have come to KNOW [by personal observation and experience], and have believed [with deep, consistent faith] the LOVE which God has for us. GOD IS LOVE, and the one who ABIDES in LOVE ABIDES in God, and God ABIDES continually in him” 1 John 4:7-8, 16.

It’s good to know what’s LOVE and what people means when they talk of LOVE and or matters of love. And defining LOVE in God’s terms is very vital to do life and godly living with God. And the knowing and understanding that GOD IS LOVE and LOVE PERSONIFIED, makes all the difference in Christ Jesus stead. Amen.

HEREIN IS MY TAKE IN DEFINING LOVE:

** THE SENSE KNOWLEDGE LOVE:

This LOVE response to our senses – which is made of these FIVE senses: FEEL (Touch), SMELL, TASTE, SEE and HEAR. This is the realm where the VALENTINE love operates especially. This is where the natural instincts of carnality and humanity operates. It’s of the world, hence defines in terms, and it’s limited in every sense to meet the human quest. I wonder why many if not multitudes should wait for FEBRUARY 14 to genuinely express love to someone they care about. Is like waiting until Christmas to express goodness to those you care about. There’s nothing wrong in the common sense LOVE in essence in humanity if guided and guarded by God’s kind of love; only that, this sensual LOVE is body-ruled, full of  bundles of selfishness, more importantly, man-made – hence limited in all ramifications.

** THE REVELATION KNOWLEDGE LOVE:

This LOVE is of God. It is spiritual, meaning, it’s inspiring, revealing and empowering. It sensitises the sense knowledge towards your natural and spiritual causes, and as such it expresses genuinely to all and more importantly to those you care about in day to day act of doing life and living godly. It does not wait for special occasions like VALENTINE or CHRISTMAS or BIRTHDAY and such like to express great heart-felt goodness. It’s boundless, intentional and reachable and available and applicable in circumstances toward God and mankind.

Therefore think before you go in debt for a one day or part-time kind of LOVE act that may end up in CARNALITY and at CROSS-FIRE afterwards that will hurt and hunt you for the rest of your life.

Know full well today that – GOD IS LOVE. In other words, the DEFINITION of LOVE is – God. And God is LOVE PERSONIFIED. And you can only DEFINE LOVE in God. And God’s LOVE which is in Christ Jesus, transcends, surpasses and supercedes human sense knowledge in every dimensions. And until one knows and understands it, the struggles for genuine love will keep showing up; and the unnecessary asking of all sorts of questioning about LOVE and matters of LOVE will keep coming over and over again – because ignorance of any context breeds abuse – and to abuse is to be abnormal in application and usage.

And as a Believer in Christ Jesus, are you in the LOVE built on the SENSE KNOWLEDGE or in the love built on the REVELATION KNOWLEDGE. For the revelation knowledge LOVE of God is pure, spiritual, likeable, loveable, liveable and practicable; and it’s inspired, revealed and empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit in Christ Jesus stead. Amen.

For more on this [free download and not to be printed and sold], follow this link for your perusal: https://www.42ndgenerationfoundation.com/…/AFD-February…

SELAH-PAUSE AND THINK.

SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS WORTH PONDERING IN CONTEXT:

“That Christ may DWELL in your HEARTS [SPIRIT-BEING] by faith; that ye, being ROOTED and GROUNDED in LOVE, 18 may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the BREADTH, and LENGTH, and DEPTH, and HEIGHT; 19 And to KNOW THE LOVE OF CHRIST, which PASSETH (TRANSCENDS, SUPERCEDES, SURPASSES) KNOWLEDGE (Human Senses), that ye might be FILLED with ALL the FULNESS of God” Ephesians 3:17-19/Emphasis Mine.

“Beloved, let us love one another: FOR LOVE IS OF GOD; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for GOD IS LOVE. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, AND HIS LOVE IS PERFECTED IN US. 13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, BECAUSE HE HATH GIVEN US OF HIS SPIRIT. 14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. 15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. GOD IS LOVE; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: BECAUSE AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD. 18 THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE; BUT PERFECT LOVE CASTETH OUT FEAR: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We love him, because he first loved us. 20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also” 1 John 4:7-21.

REV. CHUKIE MORSI

 

OCCUPY TILL I COME – IN GOD’S LOVE

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OCCUPY TILL I COME – IN GOD’S LOVE: GOD’S LOVE ENHANCES EARTHLY USEFULNESS AND HEAVENLY MINDEDNESS IN CHRIST JESUS!

“And HOPE maketh not ASHAMED; because THE LOVE of God is SHED (LAVISHED) abroad in our HEARTS (SPIRIT-BEING) by the Holy Ghost which is GIVEN unto us . . . 8 But God COMMENDETH his LOVE toward us, in that, while we were YET SINNERS, Christ DIED for us” Romans 5:5, 8.

Talking about LOVE – I mean the LOVE of God in Christ Jesus, that transcends and surpasses the human sense [see, hear, smell, taste, touch/feel] knowledge of love. Herein, I will be laying out a didactic sense of measure of God’s love in Christ Jesus, such that we don’t just say we HAVE LOVE, but we can boldly say, we DO LIVE and WALK in God’s LOVE unreservedly, knowing that LOVE in essence is purely and firstly of God, for God is love [1 John 4:8, 16]; and God’s LOVE, is the lubricant for our life in Christ Jesus and for all mankind. And when an individual come to KNOW THIS LOVE OF GOD that surpasses and transcends our sense knowledge of love, we can then OCCUPY effectively and efficiently in Christ Jesus until He comes, by “BEING EARTHLY USEFUL while HEAVENLY MINDED” in humanity.

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being ROOTED and GROUNDED IN LOVE, 18 may be able to COMPREHEND with all saints what is the BREADTH, and LENGTH, and DEPTH, and HEIGHT; 19 and to KNOW THE LOVE OF christ, which PASSETH (TRANSCENDED,  SURPASSED) KNOWLEDGE (SENSE KNOWLEDGE – SEE, HEAR, TASTE, SMELL, TOUCH/FEEL), that ye might be FILLED with all the FULNESS of God” Ephesians 3:17-19/Emphasis Mine.

Love is an ATTITUDE, a deliberate choice, an exercise of the will, a choice of life and is not just a feeling, it is an expression of the nature of God. It is spiritual, divinely inspired and imbedded in the very hearts of all God’s human creation, and more importantly in the very nature of the redeemed child of God. Hence it’s not a doctrine, creed and dogmas. It outlived generation because it’s timeless and of God’s. For God is love as written:

“Beloved, let us LOVE one another: for LOVE is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; FOR GOD IS LOVE. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins . . . 16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. GOD IS LOVE; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: BECAUSE AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” 1 John 4:7–10, 16-18.

Love is a FRUIT and not a GIFT. FRUITS are GROWN while GIFTS are IMPARTED. Genuine Bible love – Agape – is born and is a product of the Holy Spirit that indwells in us – (Romans 5:5, 8; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:9).

Let’s consider love in diversity for a clearer understanding of the kind of love being implied in this context.

DEFINING THE THREE KINDS OF LOVE:

*1. PHILEO: Grk (of the soul) – Love relationship in family – between parent and child. The Family kind of love. It also embodied love relationship towards friends and colleagues. It means to be fond of; it is based on FEELINGS and not on PRINCIPLE. It’s never used of man’s love to or for God. This is human or natural kind of love. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Genesis 8:19; Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21). This kind of love is however essential and crucial for a family bonding and wellbeing.

*2. EROS: Grk (of the Physical body) – Sexual love; purely reserved for the married – within the bond of marriage. It’s based on PHYSICAL ATTRACTION. It’s neither for fornication nor adultery. Lust and immoral desires have gotten some into it, hence there’s a great act of PERVERSION in our societies today – and we are paying hugely for the consequences across the board. (Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 7:1-9; 1 Corinthians 6:15-20).

*3. AGAPE: Grk (of the spirit) – God kind of love; unconditional, limitless, divine, spiritual. It transcends race, gender, generation, culture, family, physical, personal (self) etc. 1 Corinthians 13. It’s built on PRINCIPLE. Agape love even helps to ensure, STRENGTHEN and MAINTAIN the Phileo and Eros kind of love in all life endeavours. Agape love is based on PRINCIPLE – be it towards things or people.

Notably, the PHILEO OR EROS kinds of Love need to be controlled by AGAPE kind of love or else it will hinder our fellowship with God and leads to SIN acts. (E.g. EROS – 1 Corinthians 13:5; PHILEO – 1 Samuel 2:22-36).

Let’s not just say we have love, lets LIVE and WALK IN LOVE, for love is of the Spirit – Romans 5:5.

IT’S BY TIME TO LIVE AND WALK IN LOVE. LETS MAKE IT HAPPEN. FOR THE CHARGE – OCCUPY TILL I COME – IN LOVE ENHANCES EARTHLY USEFULNESS AND HEAVENLY MINDEDNESS.

SELAH – PAUSE AND THINK.

SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS WORTH PONDERING IN CONTEXT:

“If we LIVE in the Spirit, let us also WALK in the Spirit” Galatians 5:25.

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 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” Ephesians 5:1-2.

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being ROOTED and GROUNDED IN LOVE, 18 may be able to COMPREHEND with all saints what is the BREADTH, and LENGTH, and DEPTH, and HEIGHT; 19 and to KNOW THE LOVE OF christ, which PASSETH (TRANSCENDED,  SURPASSED) KNOWLEDGE (SENSE KNOWLEDGE – SEE, HEAR, TASTE, SMELL, TOUCH/FEEL), that ye might be FILLED with all the FULNESS of God” Ephesians 3:17-19/Emphasis Mine.

“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but FAITH WHICH WORKETH BY LOVE . . . 13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but BY LOVE SERVE one another. 14 For all the LAW IS FULFILLED IN ONE WORD, even in this; Thou shalt LOVE thy neighbour as thyself . . . 22 But the FRUIT of the Spirit is LOVE, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” Galatians 5:6, 13-14, 22-23.

“For the FRUIT of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth” Ephesians 5:9/NKJV.

“Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having LOVED his own which were in the world, he LOVED them unto the end . . . 34 A NEW COMMANDMENT I give unto you, That ye LOVE one another; as I have LOVED you, that ye also LOVE one another. 35 By this shall ALL MEN KNOW THAT YE ARE MY DISCIPLES, if ye have LOVE one to another” John 13:1 34-35.

“And from Jesus Christ, who is the FAITHFUL WITNESS, and the FIRST BEGOTTEN of the dead, and THE PRINCE of the kings of the earth. Unto him that LOVED us, and WASHED us from our sins in his own blood, 6 and hath MADE us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” Revelation 1:5-6.

“As the Father hath LOVED me, so have I LOVED you: CONTINUE YE IN MY LOVE. 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. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye LOVE one another, as I have LOVED you. 13 Greater LOVE hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” John 15:9-14.

“For God so LOVED the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” John 3:16-18.

REV. CHUKIE MORSI

OCCUPY TILL I COME – IN LOVE

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OCCUPY TILL I COME – IN LOVE: LOVE ENHANCES EARTHLY USEFULNESS AND HEAVENLY MINDEDNESS!

“And hope maketh not ashamed; because THE LOVE of God is SHED (LAVISHED) abroad in our HEARTS (SPIRIT-BEING) by the Holy Ghost which is GIVEN unto us . . . 8 But God commendeth his LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:5, 8.

Talking about LOVE! Here is a didactic sense of measure, such that we don’t just say we have love, but we do LIVE and WALK in LOVE, knowing that love is of God; and it’s love is the lubricant for our life in Christ Jesus and for all mankind. Upon this we can Occupy In Christ until he comes by “BEING EARTHLY USEFUL WHILE HEAVENLY MINDED”.

Love is an ATTITUDE, a deliberate choice, an exercise of the will, a choice of life and is not just a feeling, it is an expression of the nature of God. It is spiritual, divinely inspired and imbedded in the very hearts of all God’s human creation, and more importantly in the very nature of the redeemed child of God. Hence, it’s not a doctrine, creed and dogmas. It outlived generation because it’s timeless and of God’s. For God is love as written:

“Beloved, let us LOVE one another: for LOVE is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; FOR GOD IS LOVE. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins . . . 16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. GOD IS LOVE; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: BECAUSE AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” 1 John 4:7–10, 16-18.

Love is a FRUIT and not a GIFT. FRUITS are GROWN while GIFTS are IMPARTED. Genuine Bible love – Agape – is born and is a product of the Holy Spirit that indwells in us – (Romans 5:5, 8; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:9).

Let’s consider love in diversity for a clearer understanding of the kind of love being implied in this context.

DEFINING THE THREE KINDS OF LOVE:

*1. PHILEO: Grk (of the soul) – Love relationship in family – between parent and child. The Family kind of love. It also embodied love relationship towards friends and colleagues. It means to be fond of; it is based on FEELINGS and not on PRINCIPLE. It’s never used of man’s love to or for God. This is human or natural kind of love. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9; Genesis 8:19; Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21). This kind of love is however essential and crucial for a family bonding and wellbeing.

*2. EROS: Grk (of the Physical body) – Sexual love; purely reserved for the married – within the bond of marriage. It’s based on PHYSICAL ATTRACTION. It’s neither for fornication nor adultery. Lust and immoral desires have gotten some into it, hence there’s a great act of PERVERSION in our societies today – and we are paying hugely for the consequences across the board. (Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 7:1-9; 1 Corinthians 6:15-20).

*3. AGAPE: Grk (of the spirit) – God kind of love; unconditional, limitless, divine, spiritual. It transcends race, gender, generation, culture, family, physical, personal (self) etc. 1 Corinthians 13. It’s built on PRINCIPLE. Agape love even helps to ensure, STRENGTHEN and MAINTAIN the Phileo and Eros kind of love in all life endeavours. Agape love is based on PRINCIPLE – be it towards things or people.

Notably, the PHILEO OR EROS kinds of Love need to be controlled by AGAPE kind of love or else it will hinder our fellowship with God and leads to SIN acts. (E.g. EROS – 1 Corinthians 13:5; PHILEO – 1 Samuel 2:22-36).

Let’s not just say we have love, lets LIVE and WALK IN LOVE, for love is of the Spirit – Romans 5:5.

IT’S BY TIME TO LIVE AND WALK IN LOVE. LETS MAKE IT HAPPEN. FOR THE CHARGE – OCCUPY TILL I COME – IN LOVE ENHANCES EARTHLY USEFULNESS AND HEAVENLY MINDEDNESS.

SELAH – PAUSE AND THINK.

SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS WORTH PONDERING IN CONTEXT:

“If we LIVE in the Spirit, let us also WALK in the Spirit” Galatians 5:25.

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 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” Ephesians 5:1-2.

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being ROOTED and GROUNDED IN LOVE, 18 may be able to COMPREHEND with all saints what is the BREADTH, and LENGTH, and DEPTH, and HEIGHT; 19 and to KNOW THE LOVE OF christ, which PASSETH (TRANSCENDS,  SURPASSED) KNOWLEDGE (SENSE), that ye might be FILLED with all the FULNESS of God” Ephesians 3:17-19.

“But the FRUIT of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” Galatians 5:22-23/NKJV

“For the FRUIT of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth” Ephesians 5:9/NKJV.

REV. CHUKIE MORSI