Heralds Digest

"These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit." (Jude 1:19 NKJV) The lack of recognition of the invisible but mighty hands of God in the affairs of life is the major attribute of ungodliness. The knowledge of God is limited in human profession; it is only the possession of the Spirit of God that releases the heart of man from ungodly desires. Godliness promotes orderliness; but the lack of the abiding influence of the Spirit of God is bound to degenerate into disorderliness and divisions. In spite of reasonable arguments in all ungodly lusts, the major cause of divisions is the loss of the leading of the Spirit of God.

"...to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” (Jude 1:15 NKJV) Godliness speaks no other language besides love and mercy. However, the procession of God's saints with the heavenly host to convicts all acts of ungodliness appears to speak a different language - judgment. Apparently, only godly sinners can understand the language of love and mercy. Sinners are doomed not because of their nature of sin. They will be convicted because of their preference for the language of judgment, if the language of love and mercy is ignored. Obviously, the rejection of the language of love and mercy in all ungodly sinners is the basis of their awaiting doom rather than their act of unrighteousness.

"Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints." (Jude 1:3 NKJV) The relationship of the once-depraved sinner with the holy God (including his salvation from sin, his call into a fruitful service, and the preservation of his soul in righteousness) is powered by faith in the finished work of grace. Unfortunately, this new relationship did not cancel the possible outward relationship with the world and its systems; it only encourages contention for the faith, in order to keep the expected devotion with the Saviour. Although our relationship with Christ cannot remove the attractiveness of sin, contending with distractions to the common salvation can retain the attentiveness of soul to righteousness.

"We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth." (3 John 1:8 NKJV) The basis of generous fellowship among people cannot be based on empty interest. In Apostle John's exhortation to Gaius, Diotrephes and Demetrius were used to demonstrate the basis of the varied interests: self pre-eminence and God's providence. While Diotrephes' type of generosity can offer great sacrifices, it is restricted to the premises of praise singing and the worship of his self pre-eminence. Unlike close generosity, open generosity operates on the basis of the truth about God's providence and not on the testimony of the giver's pre-eminence.

"Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward." (2 John 1:8 NKJV) Exchange of love represents a pleasant reward of good fellowship in every relationship. No relationship, whether friendship, marriage, social fellowships, etc, worth its salt without a cordial expression of love. However, perfect love cannot be fully rewarded with the fellowship of material things. In fact, the heart is vulnerable to carrot and stick love, especially when the truth about God's generosity is queried. Full reward of our fellowship of love is certain at the mercy seats, even when it appears the seat for mercy here is no longer available.

"And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life." (1 John 5:20 NKJV) Every process or personality that provides proven performances expect the worship or praise of the audience. Without a perfect understanding of the true God, the worship of the material possession and the elevated personality become contagious and inseparable. Unfortunately, man is often carried away by the knowledge of the effect of performances on his personal life. Whereas, while the effects of the material world are corruptible, Jesus Christ, who is source of life and the Creator of material things, is eternal. Invariably, true God cannot be ascertained by the material content of what is done; but by the eternal consistency of who is doing what.

"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." (1 John 5:14 NKJV) Relationship with God is often treated as a monologue rather than a dialogue. Unlike in a monologue mind-set, communication with heaven suggests a comprehensive revelation of God's will; His way; and His walk. Even after we have asked anything according to God's will, our confidence is expected to extend, from His hearing us, to our hearing Him. Many a God's will in marriage, business, ministry and family life suffers unnecessary setback because of unwarranted ignorance of God's way of implementation or the recommended timing of His walk . Wholesome righteousness demands that God's will should be executed in His way and at His walk.