HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE HIM?

Thus saith the Lord God:

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Rom. 6/14. Amen…..But do you really understand what the word Grace in the New Testament means? Do you understand what is really meant by the scripture “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” Eph. 2/8.

In a word, it means, “ACCEPTANCE;” by whom? By The Father Himself. “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometime were far off are made nigh by the Blood of Christ.” Eph. 2/13. “We are under Grace” means that we no longer have to do the works of the law to gain “acceptance” with our Loving Father. It means we simply receive His free gift of Christ to gain “His Acceptance.” It`s His Graciousness that makes the offering of this gift to all men. IT DOESN`T MEAN A SPIRITUAL CONDITION OR ENVIRONMENT WHEREBY YOU THINK YOU CAN SIN AND STILL BE “ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED,” EPH 1/6, “COUNTING THE BLOOD OF THE COVENANT WHEREWITH YOU WERE SANCTIFIED AN UNHOLY THING, DOING DESPITE (TREATING WITH CONTEMPT) UNTO THE SPIRIT OF GRACE.” Heb. 10/29. “For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses` law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son Of God,” Heb. 10/26-29. To put it simply, the “method” by which we are to obtain God`s favour, acceptance, blessing, was changed from the Old Covenant doing the works of the law by us and offering the blood of bulls and goats, to the New Covenant of receiving “the free gift of God,” by Him: and it`s pure, holy, Jesus Christ, The Messiah, The Son of God, a once only sin offering for our lives. Heb. 10/12.

You might say to me, but we are free, we are under liberty! (The Jews thought so to: John 8/33,39,41) Yep.. I agree, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8/36. “And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” 2 Cor. 3/17. Amen. “If the Son shall set you free, you shall be free indeed;” FREE TO SERVE CHRIST OR COMMIT SIN; FREE TO REMAIN FREE, OR GO BACK INTO BONDAGE; it`s your choice; He sets you free so that you can choose whom you will serve: What did the Apostle Paul exhort the Galatians to do? “For brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; ONLY USE NOT LIBERTY FOR AN OCCASION TO THE FLESH,” Gal. 5/13. And again, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Gal. 5/1.

There are examples in the Bible of men/women who decided to play “russian roulette” with their salvation; who decided to “tempt God;” (“It is written again, THOU SHALT NOT TEMPT THE LORD THY GOD.” Math. 4/7.) The very first is in Gen. 3/1-7; Adam “male” and Adam “female” were created whole and free in an environment of “LIBERTY;” “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest FREELY eat.” Gen. 2/16: Then the woman decided to play “russian roulette,” disobey and doubt God: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. He that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Gal. 6/7-8.

Saul was rejected of God from being King over Israel. (not rejected from being a covenant son, not yet anyway:) 1 Sam. 15/26, and an “evil spirit from the Lord troubled him.” 1 Sam. 16/14. You know the story, Saul “eyed David,” was jealous of him, wanted to kill him, and when he heard that David was with Samuel at Ramah, he came down to Ramah to kill David, but “The Spirit of the Lord” was there on all the prophets “with Samuel standing as appointed over them,” 1 Sam. 19/20, and as Saul drew near into the presence of the Lord, the evil spirit fled, and he lay down stripped naked all day and all night prophesying. “WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS THERE IS LIBERTY.” 2 Cor. 3/17. God`s mercy was extended to Saul to embrace him; while he was free in the “Lord`s presence,” he could have made a decision to accept the will of the Father, be obedient and surrender the throne to David; instead he rose up and chose to go back into sin and the evil spirit returned to torment him. How was Saul in sin? God had rejected him from being King, and Saul refused to obey…. AGAIN…. he wouldn`t yield the throne to David, God`s chosen, as commanded by the Lord.

YOU CAN`T GO TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY, GET FREE, AND THEN GO OUT AND MISBEHAVE FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK AND FOOL YOURSELF INTO THINKING YOUR SALVATION IS SECURE. “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Phil. 2/12. “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, IF THOU CONTINUE in His goodness: OTHERWISE THOU ALSO SHALT BE CUT OFF.” Rom. 11/22.

“BEHOLD, THOU ART MADE WHOLE: SIN NO MORE, LEST A WORSE THING COME UNTO THEE.” John 5/14.

SO, HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE HIM?

There comes a time in every believers life, where we have to grow up, where we have to make the right choice. In Eden there was a choice to be made, every time the man and the woman whistled passed the “tree of knowledge of good and evil,” they were saying “I love you,” that`s how much I love you, I will do anything you say anywhere, anytime, anyhow; I shall obey you, Child like trust and obedience.

“IF YOU LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS.” John 14/15.

“THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL, AND WITH ALL THY MIND. THIS IS THE FIRST AND GREAT COMMANDMENT.” And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ON THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS HANG ALL THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS.” Math. 22/37-40. And again. “Mk. 12/29-31. God gave the man and the woman a commandment, a law, a rule, to be obeyed; Gen. 2/17. The first and great commandment still stands, we have to demonstrate our obeisance, our love by saying NO to temptation, IT`S THAT SIMPLE. If you think you can flout the “law,” the “rules,” let me tell you no amount of “grace” is going to pull you out of the fire, simply because IT`S YOURS TO CHOOSE, IT`S YOUR CHOICE; God will not lord it over your free will to choose whom you will serve, “whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Rom. 6/16. “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey?” Rom 6/16. “HE THAT IS UNJUST, LET HIM BE UNJUST STILL: AND HE WHICH IS FILTHY, LET HIM BE FILTHY STILL: AND HE THAT IS RIGHTEOUS, LET HIM BE RIGHTEOUS STILL: AND HE THAT IS HOLY, LET HIM BE HOLY STILL.” Rev. 22/11.

“THINK NOT THAT I AM COME TO DESTROY THE LAW, OR THE PROPHETS: I AM NOT COME TO DESTROY BUT FULFIL.” Math. 5/17.

We have a law, a rule, a commandment, “TO LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL, AND WITH ALL THY MIND,” and as hard as you think it is for you to swallow, you have to start saying NO, I will not be covetous because I love Him too much: NO, I will not lie and cheat because I love Him too much: NO, I will not fornicate and commit adultery and think lustful thoughts because I love Him too much: NO, I will not foster a spirit of pride and envy committing murder in my heart because I love Him too much: NO, I will not “love the things of this world” because I love Him too much: NO, I will not take the Lord`s name in vain and be given over to profanity because I love Him too much: NO, I will learn what the Sabbath really means, what it really means to enter His rest, walking by faith and obedience ceasing from my works and doing His, thereby entering His rest realizing that every day is meant to a “Holy Day,” a “Sabbath Day,” I will cease from doing things my way and do everything His way, because I love Him too much: NO, I refuse to be disrespectful to my parents because I love Him too much: NO, I refuse to take what is not rightfully mine because I love Him too much: NO, I will not carve out any graven image of anything in my imagination and pursue it because I love Him too much:

If you think that because you move in leadership and have many giftings taking your salvation for granted, and it doesn`t matter how much you commit sin, the giftings are still there so you think you can`t lose your salvation, WISE UP! The gifts don`t manifest for your sake, THEY MANIFEST FOR THE PEOPLE`S SAKE, (read the story of Samson again) and God uses you because you have “the measure of faith” to operate in these gifts. Besides, “The Gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” Rom. 11/29. Read Math. 25/31-46 and Math. 7/21-23 again, the operation of the “gifts” DOES NOT GUARANTEE YOUR INHERITANCE.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, 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 faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity 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 charity, it profiteth me nothing.” 1 Cor. 13/1-3. All the gifts, prophecy, miracles, tongues, knowledge will all fail, it will all vanish away. 1 Cor. 13/8,9,10,11, and on that day, you had better have packed “charity,” “love,” “intimacy with Him,” A LONG STANDING BESOTTEDNESS WITH HIS PERSON, DEMONSTRATED BY YOUR OBEDIENCE TO HIS COMMANDS, because that`s your “high calling of God in Christ Jesus,” Phil 3/14, and if you haven`t got that, THEN YOU HAVE GOT NOTHING, ZILCH, ZIP, ZERO, and He will simply say to you, “depart from me ye that work iniquity, I NEVER KNEW YOU.” Math.7/23. (“knew,” “ginosko;” meaning, to know in a completed sense, with the idea of volition of good will, to know and APPROVE or love, to care for intimately: “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” John 14/21. “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 14/23.)

If you think you can live the life of a “Samaritan,” mixed, (“Thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed neither shall a garment of linen or woolen come upon thee.” Lev. 19/19.) and still walk through the pearly gates, be warned, “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump, 1 Cor. 5/6; that lifestyle will eventually choke your “hunger and thirst for righteousness” and what little desire you have left for Him. Mk. 4/19. The biggest enemy you will face is not the devil, it`s you, the lusts that war in your flesh. “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.” Gal. 5/17. “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” Rom. 8/13. Your salvation hinges on you choosing to “overcome” “by the Blood of the Lamb, and the word of your testimony,” Rev. 12/11, washed, clean, Rev. 7/14, “hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” Jude 23. “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne.” Rev. 3/21. Make no bones about it, the goal is to LOVE GOD MOST COMPLETELY, EMPHATICALLY, AND ESHEW ALL EVIL. “For he that will love life, and see good days let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: LET HIM ESCHEW (“ekklino,” to turn away from, to depart, AVOID) evil and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THEM THAT DO EVIL:” 1 Pet. 3/10-12.

SO HOW MUCH DO YOU REALLY LOVE HIM?

There are four things that are evidence of love energized in a person`s life when “in love:” with Him:

1. YOU CAN`T STOP THINKING ABOUT HIM;

2. YOU CAN`T STOP TALKING ABOUT HIM;

3. YOU ONLY WANT TO BE WITH HIM ALWAYS;

4. YOU ONLY WANT TO DO THOSE THINGS THAT PLEASE HIM:

Does this description fit you? It had better, because if it doesn`t; “because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” Rev. 3/16.

DOES YOUR LIFE DEMONSTRATE AN UNBRIDLED PASSION FOR “GOD THE FATHER, SON, AND HOLY GHOST?” You should be able to “grow in grace to the point where you wouldn`t even dream about breaking any of the commandments (the law) because you LOVE HIM TOO MUCH. You become besotted, drunk with love for Him. (“Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore LOVE IS THE FULFILLING OF THE LAW.” Rom. 13/10.)

If you truly choose to “follow Him,” then you will “put on the Lord Jesus Christ and MAKE NOT PROVISION FOR THE FLESH, to fulfill the lusts thereof” Rom. 13/14. “this I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Gal. 5/16, because “whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” 1 John 3/9. “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Christ Jesus our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof, Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” Rom 6/11-13.

See, it`s yours to choose: The “man and the woman” made a choice daily to “follow Him” in the garden: then one day they made a choice not to, and fell, and were “CUT OFF.”

“I call Heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” Deut. 30/19.

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:” 2 Pet. 1/10.

SO HOW MUCH DO YOU REALLY LOVE HIM?

IT`S YOUR CHOICE TO MAKE:

“See that you refuse not Him that speaketh:” Amen.

Bevan Kluver,

Straight Talk Ministries,

Ph/Fax 07 55452874,

Website www.straighttalkmin.org

bevan.kluver@bigpond.com

“speaking the truth in love, in the spirit of meekness, earnestly contending for the faith.” 13^th January 2003 HELPING HIM PREPARE A BRIDE WITHOUT SPOT OR WRINKLE: HATING EVEN THE GARMENT SPOTTED BY THE FLESH:

HOW MUCH DO WE LOVE HIM

“Math. 22/37-40. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ON THESE TWO COMMANDMENTS HANG ALL THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS”.

We know He loves us dearly,

So how much do we love Him?

Tough love that`s how much He loves us;

So how much do we really love Him?

He teaches us to have no other gods,

So how much do we love Him?

When we worship all manner of things?

So how much do we love Him?

He teaches us graven images forbid,

So how much do we love Him?

When we worship images, houses, cars and things?

So how much do we love Him?

Taking the Lord thy God`s name in vain,

So how much do we love Him?

Of the abundance of the heart we speak,

So how much do we love Him?

Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy,

So how much do we love Him?

When we forget His precious sacrifice?

So how much do we love Him?

We must honour thy father and thy mother,

So how much do we love Him?

When we disrespect the ones we must honour?

So how much do we love Him?

Thou shalt not kill simple enough to heed,

So how much do we love Him?

When carnage and murder every day commonplace?

So how much do we love Him?

Committing adultery is against His will,

So how much do we love Him?

With eyes of temptation leading many astray?

So how much do we love Him?

A command in love thou shalt not steal,

So how much do we love Him?

When we take what is lawfully not ours?

So how much do we love Him?

Bearing false witness against thy neighbour,

So how much do we love Him?

A neighbour`s reputation in tatters it seems,

So how much do we love Him?

His final command thou shalt not covet,

So how much do we love Him?

With hungry passions our eyes deceive,

So how much do we love Him?

So how much do we really love Him?

Will we pass His test on command?

So how much do we really love Him?

When He`s cashing in His dividends, gathering stock at hand:

Math. 22/37-38. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment”. And again, Mk. 12/29-30.

John 14/15. “If ye love, keep my commandments”.

John 14/21. “ He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him”.

John 15/10. “ 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”.

18^th June 2002.

ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED

Ex. 20/1-17

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? GOD FORBID”! How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Ro. 6/1-2.

Once saved, always saved?

I wish not to chance my hand,

Playing Russian roulette with my salvation,

Am I building my house on sand?

Once saved always saved,

Are we willfully sinning,

The ten commandments which God demands,

Or is satan finally winning?

Thou shalt have no other gods,

A passionate command from our Creator;

But I must be your one and only God,

A command from your loving Testator;

The worship of graven images,

They`re of rock, or stone, or wood,

Praying to them, a misguided gesture,

Pray to Him as you know you should;

Take not the name of the Lord in vain,

Loose words in frustration and anger,

Of the abundance of the heart does the mouth speak,

Cleanse yourself of this dangerous canker;

Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy,

Honouring the Lord with all our heart;

Don`t toil or struggle but rest in His peace,

And from Him don`t allow to depart;

Honour thy father and thy mother,

Let your behaviour be that of respect;

Be a credit to your parents who love you,

This commandment not wise to neglect;

Thou shalt not kill, don`t test His will,

This command for very good reasons,

Preservation of life, I am their judge,

Disobedience will bring forth your treason;

Committing adultery, not God`s will,

Liaisons of deception, your heads spinning around,

Philandering, flirting, what pain will you cause?

Where`s your conscience, has it gone underground?

Thou shalt not steal, an easy ask,

Are you secretly chancing your skill?

Wrongfully taking what is not yours,

Your appetite do you fill?

Bearing false witness against thy neighbour,

An eternal judgment you`ve placed on him;

But we`re commanded to love thy neighbour,

Is this an abominable sin?

Thou shalt not covet, the last commandment,

Perhaps the most difficult to fulfill,

Don`t allow your love for the things you desire,

Please comply and walk in His will;

And yes I do not wish to chance my hand,

Playing Russian roulette with my sin,

For nobody knows the will of God,

For a much greater prize to win;

Once saved, always saved?

I try hard to walk in these,

My conscience, yes, does bother me,

As I try hard my Father to please:

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”. Phil. 2/12.

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall”. 2 Pet. 1/10.

“If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed”. John 8/31.

Also read Acts 13/13, 14/22, Ro. 11/22, Col. 1/21-23.

Once saved, always saved????????? “IF YE CONTINUE”.

Math. 26/46-75, Math. 27 and 28, Luke 22/47-71, Mk. 14/42-72, Mk. 15 and 16, Luke 23 and 24, John 18, 19, 20, 21.