Roots by the River

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” (Matthew7:1) “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks .” (Luke 6:45) “And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, ‘Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.’” (Revelation 12:10) “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer.” (John 16:8-10) The devil accuses, and the Holy Spirit convicts. If you are accusing anyone of any sin true or false, you are spea

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves , not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:3-11) Have the same mind in humility as Jesus.

“For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light , it becomes visible .” (Ephesians 5:8-13) We are not allowed to expose sin by speaking of the sin. It is exposed by the light of our character. “Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding .” (2 Corinthians 10:12) Do you compare yourself with others?

The next few posts are written because I am finding many Christians to whom they apply. If they apply to you, fix it. That is, confess the sins and then obey. In Greek, there are three words for love: Agape – sacrificial love for the good of others Phileo – friendship love Eros – sexual love When we are saved we are given the fruit of the Spirit, which is agape (Galatians 5:22, and 1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Love is patient – Are you patient? Love is kind – Are you kind? Love does not envy or boast – Are you envious? Love is not proud – Are you proud? Love is not rude – Are you rude? Love does not insist on its own way – Do you? Love is not irritated – Do you get irritated? Love is not resentful – Do you get resentful? Whom are we to love? Our neighbor (Matthew 22:39). Other Christians (John 13:34-35). Our enemies (Luke 6:27-36). We are to love these people with this kind of expression of love.

“ Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.” (Psalm 37:3) “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works , which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10) “The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works . These things are excellent and profitable for people.” (Titus 3:7-8) “But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.” (I Peter 1:15) In these verses trusting, saving grace, believing, and holiness all precede our good works. In the Lord Jesus Christ, Jim Wilson