"Have This Mind" / How Great Is God's Grace! / Love In Action

Articles

Kevin Heaton
01/28/24 - The Zephyrhills Beacon

(by Kevin Heaton)

We all need to ask ourselves the following: "What kind of mind do I have? What is my mind set on?" Is my mind focused on my interests, my opinions, my feelings, my wants, my way, my time, etc to the extent that I neglect others, ignore others, hurt others, push others away, ridicule, criticize, demean, fail to love and encourage others?

If we ever find this mind within us, then it's high time we go to Philippians 2:1-11 and do some serious meditating and renewing of our minds in the Spirit. Read it, understand it, live it.

"So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." AMEN!

How Great Is God’s Grace!

(by Kevin Heaton)

If ever we doubt how much God loves us or how much grace He has given us, we need only go to the book of Ephesians and see how Paul described the grace and love of God to our former brethren.

"His GLORIOUS grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved" (1:6)

"according to the RICHES of His grace, which He LAVISHED upon us" (1:7-8)

"the RICHES of His glorious inheritance in the saints" (1:18)

"the IMMEASURABLE greatness of His power toward us who believe" (1:19)

"God, being RICH in mercy, because of the GREAT love with which He loved us" (2:4)

"IMMEASURABLE RICHES of His grace" (2:7)

"UNSEARCHABLE RICHES of Christ" (3:8)

"RICHES of His glory" (3:16)

"the love of Christ that SURPASSES knowledge" (3:19)

So with Paul we can confidently say, "But by the GRACE of God I am what I am..." (1 Corinthians 15:10).

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen" (Ephesians 3:20-21).

Love In Action

(by Kevin Heaton)

John writes in 1 John 3:16-18 - "By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."

John tells us that we know what real love is like. How do we know? Because God has shown us real love in that He sent Jesus to die for us and Jesus willingly laid down His life for us. We are told to follow this example and lay down our lives for our brothers.

John then gives application. John says that real love, laying your life down for your brother is helping them in their time of need. Showing kindness and care to them. Seeking to help and serve. Giving of yourself.

John tells us that real love, godly love is more than just having good thoughts and feelings toward one another. Real love is about acting on those good thoughts and intentions.

Find ways in which you can actively love your brother in deed and in truth and not just in word or thought. To GOD be the glory!