Has any one progressed in their Spiritual Growth and Development where they attend a church group? Or are you doing so on your own as is GODS intent and reason for giving you of His Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Christ? Continuing with Pastor Hoekstra's writing of Grace and my using of the ESV translation from my e-Sword program for Bible studies. Have you received the cipher key yet? Are you the Righteousness of the LORD, the Living Word, does He impart His Light and Life within you?
"Grace and Spiritual Fruit"
"The word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the Grace of GOD in Truth." (Colossians 1:5-6)
"The LORD wants His children to have significant measures of spiritual fruit developing in their lives. "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit" (John 15:8). Fruit is described in the scriptures in various ways. It includes godly character qualities. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace . . . " (Galatians 5:22). Also, it involves worship offered to GOD. "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to GOD, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name" (Hebrews 13:15). Additionally, it encompasses lives being touched by our ministry to them. "I often planned to come to you . . . that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles" (Romans 1:13).
Such spiritual fruit is a consequence of GOD's Grace at work in and through our lives. Colossians 1:5-6 addresses this fact. "The word of the Truth of the Gospel,which has come to you . . . is bringing forth fruit." The good news of Christ Jesus not only brings forgiveness of sin and the Gift of Eternal Life, it also produces fruit in those who believe. All of this is Grace operating in trusting hearts. "Since the day you heard and Knew the Grace of GOD in Truth."
Romans 7:4 describes this same glorious process, using different terms. "Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the Law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another, even to Him Who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to GOD." In order to bear fruit the of the LORD, we had to first be released from our dead relationship to the condemnation of the Law. We could not perform effectively under that demanding standard. Thus, our lives were spiritually fruitless before GOD. Next, we needed to be joined in a New, Living Relationship with the risen Christ, the Living Word, that we might partake of His Grace Resources for living. We have experienced both through faith in the LORD Christ Jesus. Now the risen Christ works by His Grace in and through our lives, as we humbly depend upon Him."
Yes, the Grace of GOD is His designated dynamic for producing Spiritual Fruit in our every day lives"
Spiritual Progress:
The Characteristic of the Righteous is our Spiritual Progress:
Job 17:6-10 "He has made me a byword of the peoples, and I am one before whom men spit. My eye has grown dim from vexation, and all my members are like a shadow. The upright are appalled at this, and the innocent stirs himself up against the godless. Yet the righteous holds to his way, and he who has clean hands grows stronger and stronger. But you, come on again, all of you, and I shall not find a wise man among you."
Psalm 84:5-7, 8 "Blessed are those whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before GOD in Zion.
O LORD GOD of Hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob!"
Psalm 92:10-15 "But You have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; You have poured over me fresh oil. My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants. The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of our GOD. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him."
Proverbs 4:10-19, 2Corinthians 3:18 "Hear, My son, and accept My words, that the years of your life may be many. I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on. For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong; they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble. For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble."
2Corinthians 3:12-18 "Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end (with this statement one would think that those in GODS Redemption would see it's true meaning and purpose in the language used here.). But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts (their perception remains in darkness under the cloud of unbelief). But when one turns to the LORD, the veil is removed. Now the LORD is the SPIRIT, and where the SPIRIT of the LORD is, there is Freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the LORD, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the LORD Who is the SPIRIT."
1Timothy 4:11-16 "Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers."
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