Gatekeeper
Shades of Reason
The original purpose for writing this was to acknowledge where I am now, and for reflection in the future, perhaps to see how my views change. I would love to discuss these thoughts, and hear your views to further my own understanding. I have written sections on the "Word", "Spirit", "Forgiveness", "acceptance", "Equality", "Cross", and "purpose" as well. I'll post those at a later time if anyone seems interested.
Most of us have experienced only remnants of love. Meaning we have only known love in measure, whether it came from family or from friends. Very few of us however, know and understand the power of God’s Love, and what His grace can do for His people. Think for one moment what life would be like without even the remnant of love we do know. I can only imagine the horror, and emptiness, and hopelessness such a life would entail. Love is mankind’s comfort, it is our safety, our peace, and our life force. Without it, this world would be a very dark, lonely, and empty place to dwell. It would be as if we were in a grave, rotting and decaying without hope of ever sustaining life at all. The term “hell “ might be appropriate to describe such an existence, or state of mind reflecting the darkness of the grave, where we are no longer capable to realize the Love of our God. The truth is that even with the remnant of love we do know, most are still in a metaphorical grave, unaware of the blessings that God‘s love provides.
There are some, who have experienced so little love in their lives, that they do not recognize what it is at all. This is a sad truth that we cannot close our eyes to. Without love mankind is lost; we cannot be free from our metaphorical “graves” until we allow love to mature within us. Love must be cultivated as if it were a seed, with patience, sincerity, and faith. When we do this, and keep our hearts focused on it, we grow stronger in God’s grace. This in turn creates a great sense of freedom, joy, and peace within ourselves. We must learn to cultivate love, and also plant it in others, bringing its increase in the world we live in. I’m reminded of the parable of the talents. The talents represent many things to many people, but for this post, the talents represent the love of our God.
(Matthew 25:14-29)
14. "For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property;
15. to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
16. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more.
17. So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more.
18. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.
19. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
20. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.'
21. His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.'
22. And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.'
23. His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.'
24. He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow;
25. so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.'
26. But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not winnowed?
27. Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.
28. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents.
29. For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
Christ speaks about increase in this parable, and multiplying “through” others, what God has given to us. When we factor love into the picture, it becomes clearer the intent of his message concerning the kingdom. Consider also the parable of the sower. The seed in this parable represents the Love of God also, which was the crux of Christ’s entire testimony. He’s the sower of the seed, just as those whom the seed is planted, and cultivated in, become the sowers of the seed in others. (See also: 2 Corinthians 9:6-10)
(Luke 8:5-8)
5. "A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it.
6. And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.
7. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it.
8. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold." As he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Christ continues to explain this parable to his disciples. Keep the love of God in mind when reading, as this will help you understand Christ‘s intent. It will help also in understanding his other parables concerning the kingdom. It might be suggested that this parable is the most important of all Christ’s allegories, as this one sets the stage for the others. (See: Mark 4:13)
(Luke 8:11-15)
11. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
12. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved.
13. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.
14. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.
15. And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Again, Christ speaks of increase. When we factor in love, we come to a greater understanding. Christ is not speaking of worldly increase; he’s speaking of the love of God, which is all encompassing, pure, holy, and strong. The kind of love that changes a person from the inside out. He’s speaking of the essence of our creator. “Agape” The very spirit that Christ himself walked in. Many of us overlook it. We neglect it, discard and regard it as weak. It is however, a seed of great power; perhaps the least sought after among all spiritual seeds. (Certainly the least embraced within the natural man)
Love lends to us comfort, and peace; it also grants to us great power over our natural selves. It allows us to grow past our destructive natures, and it helps us develop a newness of mind. The more we allow love to grow within, the more we become free from our carnal ways. To walk in love is to walk as Christ did, and doing so enables us to fulfill God’s will for mankind. It is grace, truth, and a light for all mankind to receive. Love is a tree of life, that if nurtured as a seed, will produce its fruit both in self and in those we encounter. We do this by sharing and extending this wellspring of life towards others. (Increase)
Stop and consider the time, effort, and patience it takes to grow a garden. Love is no different; if it is neglected, even the love a person does have will slowly be taken away. (Talents) When we neglect love, we become naturally calloused. Our hearts become dull and void of God‘s grace. We end up following all that opposes God, being thrown about by spirits of anger, fear, bitterness, resentment, deceit, greed, pride, lust, envy, jealousy and every other spirit that is in opposition to love. God’s love however is freely available to all open to receive it. If nurtured, his love will grow within us, and will eventually enable us to live in the fullness of his grace.
Love is much more than a simple emotion; it is also more than action and words. It is the very essence of God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is not soft or weak, nor is it always gentle and kind. Love can convict us deeply of our wrongs; in it is God’s power and truth. True love is not proud, jealous, envious, haughty, or boastful, nor does it seek its own, but rather the good of others. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) It is the source of all virtue, just as lack of love is the source of all vice. True love is unconditional; it realizes that none are perfect. When embraced and followed, it leads the natural man away from spiritual corruption, as well as from the corruption of the world. It is truly life and light to those who find, understand, and keep its ways. Love is a “divine” force, that when utilized, can remove the many chains that bind us in spirit. Spirits like anger, fear, bitterness, resentment, deceit, greed, pride, lust, envy, and jealousy can all be overcome through love. We feed on these toxic spirits instinctively, giving them great authority over our inner man. We act in accordance to these “spirits“, whereby creating serious conflict within ourselves, and between others. These “chains” or spirits harm us deeply. They damage our personal wellbeing, just as they breed discord within those we transgress against. These ways seem right to us, and are very natural, but they ultimately end in spiritual death. (Proverbs 14:12, 16:25)
Darkness has authority where love is absent; Christ however, has made for us a way to abide in the Love of God, wherewith we shall be removed from this darkness, and realize our own salvation in Him. Christ revealed to us the truth and he showed to us the light of God. Through His life, His death, and His resurrection, we have heard the “word “of the father, and have been made known the power, the all encompassing love of God, which is the good news of Christ’s gospel.
“Love”
Most of us have experienced only remnants of love. Meaning we have only known love in measure, whether it came from family or from friends. Very few of us however, know and understand the power of God’s Love, and what His grace can do for His people. Think for one moment what life would be like without even the remnant of love we do know. I can only imagine the horror, and emptiness, and hopelessness such a life would entail. Love is mankind’s comfort, it is our safety, our peace, and our life force. Without it, this world would be a very dark, lonely, and empty place to dwell. It would be as if we were in a grave, rotting and decaying without hope of ever sustaining life at all. The term “hell “ might be appropriate to describe such an existence, or state of mind reflecting the darkness of the grave, where we are no longer capable to realize the Love of our God. The truth is that even with the remnant of love we do know, most are still in a metaphorical grave, unaware of the blessings that God‘s love provides.
There are some, who have experienced so little love in their lives, that they do not recognize what it is at all. This is a sad truth that we cannot close our eyes to. Without love mankind is lost; we cannot be free from our metaphorical “graves” until we allow love to mature within us. Love must be cultivated as if it were a seed, with patience, sincerity, and faith. When we do this, and keep our hearts focused on it, we grow stronger in God’s grace. This in turn creates a great sense of freedom, joy, and peace within ourselves. We must learn to cultivate love, and also plant it in others, bringing its increase in the world we live in. I’m reminded of the parable of the talents. The talents represent many things to many people, but for this post, the talents represent the love of our God.
(Matthew 25:14-29)
14. "For it will be as when a man going on a journey called his servants and entrusted to them his property;
15. to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
16. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them; and he made five talents more.
17. So also, he who had the two talents made two talents more.
18. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.
19. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
20. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.'
21. His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.'
22. And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, 'Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.'
23. His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your master.'
24. He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not winnow;
25. so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.'
26. But his master answered him, 'You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sowed, and gather where I have not winnowed?
27. Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.
28. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents.
29. For to every one who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
Christ speaks about increase in this parable, and multiplying “through” others, what God has given to us. When we factor love into the picture, it becomes clearer the intent of his message concerning the kingdom. Consider also the parable of the sower. The seed in this parable represents the Love of God also, which was the crux of Christ’s entire testimony. He’s the sower of the seed, just as those whom the seed is planted, and cultivated in, become the sowers of the seed in others. (See also: 2 Corinthians 9:6-10)
(Luke 8:5-8)
5. "A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it.
6. And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.
7. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it.
8. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold." As he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Christ continues to explain this parable to his disciples. Keep the love of God in mind when reading, as this will help you understand Christ‘s intent. It will help also in understanding his other parables concerning the kingdom. It might be suggested that this parable is the most important of all Christ’s allegories, as this one sets the stage for the others. (See: Mark 4:13)
(Luke 8:11-15)
11. Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
12. The ones along the path are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, that they may not believe and be saved.
13. And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root, they believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.
14. And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.
15. And as for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bring forth fruit with patience.
“Seed”
Again, Christ speaks of increase. When we factor in love, we come to a greater understanding. Christ is not speaking of worldly increase; he’s speaking of the love of God, which is all encompassing, pure, holy, and strong. The kind of love that changes a person from the inside out. He’s speaking of the essence of our creator. “Agape” The very spirit that Christ himself walked in. Many of us overlook it. We neglect it, discard and regard it as weak. It is however, a seed of great power; perhaps the least sought after among all spiritual seeds. (Certainly the least embraced within the natural man)
Love lends to us comfort, and peace; it also grants to us great power over our natural selves. It allows us to grow past our destructive natures, and it helps us develop a newness of mind. The more we allow love to grow within, the more we become free from our carnal ways. To walk in love is to walk as Christ did, and doing so enables us to fulfill God’s will for mankind. It is grace, truth, and a light for all mankind to receive. Love is a tree of life, that if nurtured as a seed, will produce its fruit both in self and in those we encounter. We do this by sharing and extending this wellspring of life towards others. (Increase)
Stop and consider the time, effort, and patience it takes to grow a garden. Love is no different; if it is neglected, even the love a person does have will slowly be taken away. (Talents) When we neglect love, we become naturally calloused. Our hearts become dull and void of God‘s grace. We end up following all that opposes God, being thrown about by spirits of anger, fear, bitterness, resentment, deceit, greed, pride, lust, envy, jealousy and every other spirit that is in opposition to love. God’s love however is freely available to all open to receive it. If nurtured, his love will grow within us, and will eventually enable us to live in the fullness of his grace.
“Essence”
Love is much more than a simple emotion; it is also more than action and words. It is the very essence of God, and of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is not soft or weak, nor is it always gentle and kind. Love can convict us deeply of our wrongs; in it is God’s power and truth. True love is not proud, jealous, envious, haughty, or boastful, nor does it seek its own, but rather the good of others. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) It is the source of all virtue, just as lack of love is the source of all vice. True love is unconditional; it realizes that none are perfect. When embraced and followed, it leads the natural man away from spiritual corruption, as well as from the corruption of the world. It is truly life and light to those who find, understand, and keep its ways. Love is a “divine” force, that when utilized, can remove the many chains that bind us in spirit. Spirits like anger, fear, bitterness, resentment, deceit, greed, pride, lust, envy, and jealousy can all be overcome through love. We feed on these toxic spirits instinctively, giving them great authority over our inner man. We act in accordance to these “spirits“, whereby creating serious conflict within ourselves, and between others. These “chains” or spirits harm us deeply. They damage our personal wellbeing, just as they breed discord within those we transgress against. These ways seem right to us, and are very natural, but they ultimately end in spiritual death. (Proverbs 14:12, 16:25)
Darkness has authority where love is absent; Christ however, has made for us a way to abide in the Love of God, wherewith we shall be removed from this darkness, and realize our own salvation in Him. Christ revealed to us the truth and he showed to us the light of God. Through His life, His death, and His resurrection, we have heard the “word “of the father, and have been made known the power, the all encompassing love of God, which is the good news of Christ’s gospel.