Click here to download the First Fruit Fasting message: – 290122- (EPISODES OF JOY)
WATCHMAN CATHOLIC CHARISMATIC RENEWAL MOVEMENT
2022 FIRST FRUIT FASTING EXERCISE Jan. 24 – Feb. 13, 2022 (Day 6)
Theme: EPISODES OF JOY
Texts: Jer.33:10-13; Zeph.3:14,15; Jn.15:11; 16:24
We have gone through important subjects like the
first fruits principle,
fasting,
forgiveness,
power of purity,
zoe – the highest order of life called eternal life or God’s kind of life.
Today, we shall look at the nature required of the living in the following message-
Title: LOVE, THE LIVING’S WAY.
Texts: Matt.5:43-46; Jn.13:34,35
Billions of people exist on earth but only a few are living (cons. Lk.9:59,60). The few living are those that have received the life of God, Zoe, and such are the only ones capable of manifesting true
LOVE.
True Love (Gk. Agape) is the highest quality/order of love that can be exhibited by man. It is a supernatural variety that does not run on the natural inclination of sentiment, feeling, possession, qualification, etc. but on principle. It is the very nature of God and was displayed by His express Image (1Jn.4:8,16; Rom.5:8; Jn.3:16; 14:9). It never tangoes with sin but rather expresses itself in implicit obedience to God’s commandments (Jn.14:15,21,23).
It is an affection unleashed to an object based on principle/rule namely:
word of God (Matt.5:44,45; Jn.13:34,35; Eph.5:25) and when functional has some characteristics (1Cor.13:4-7; 1Pet.4:8). The quality has the capacity to grow to maturity (1Jn.4:17-18).
It is to be noted that the Lord Jesus was the green (living) tree (Lk.23:31) and His earthly life was the model for the living (Matt.11:29). Let’s consider His way:
- Consecrated and committed to God’s business (Jn.4:35; 9:4; Lk.9:58; 2:42)
- Compassionate: cared for the needy, comforted the sorrowing (Matt.15:32; Jn.11:33-44).
- Considerate in dealing with people – enduring the carnality of His students (Matt.11:29; Mk.9:33-37).
- Chastised the grossly erring (Jn.2:13-16; Matt.21:12-13).
- Condemned none save the hypocrites (Jn. 8:10; Matt.23:2-29)
- Commended the weakened warrior (Matt.11:2-11; cp. 1Cor.10:12)
- Controlled His emotions in the public (Jn.19:10,11; 1Pet.2:17-23)
- Contented with Himself and had no place for unhealthy competition (Lk.10:21; cp. Mk.9:38-40)
Everyone possessing God’s life (Zoe) is expected to submit his will to do the will of God patterned after the life of Christ (2Cor.5:15; Jn.8:12).
Let the sinner repent of his sins and submit to the Lordship of Jesus, while the saint delves deeper into the life of consecration and commitment to please God always: emulating Jesus Christ.
