The Poisonous Fruit Of the Flesh, Emulations

Emulations

Wait? I thought the Bible says we should, as Christians, attempt to be Emulating Jesus Christ. Emulating Jesus Christ begins with us as believers of Jesus Christ, asking ourselves the question, What has become our central focused?

There are also times in the Word that this sounds as if it is a Positive Thing. In Romans 11:14 the King James Version "emulation" is the translation of "Parazeloo" Or "to make one zealous or jealous." It is used here in a good sense.

"If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them." {Romans 11:14}

In other words, his hope was that by living for Christ, and them seeing the MASSIVE change in Him, remember, Paul used to be Saul who killed Christians, that some would follow his lead and become as him.

When someone says we should attempt to be Emulating Jesus Christ, what they are saying is that we should be striving to be like Him. So other that see us, will try to be like us. That through the way we live, they maybe provoked to jealousy. Jealous of our sometimes inexplicable Peace and Joy, even in tough times. This could lead some to want what we have..

However, In Galatians 5:20 it is the translation of "Zelos" Which is "Zeal," "Earnestness," "Enthusiasm" where it is classed among "the Works of the Flesh" and signifies the stirring up of jealousy or envy in others, because of what we are, or have, or profess. It also means "Jealousy." It denotes a Work of the Flesh or lower nature, which Children of God often fail sufficiently to guard against. It pleases "the Flesh" to excite such a feeling in others.

"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." {Matthew 6:1-6}

In other words, you want people to think more highly of you than they should. You WANT people seeing you in a way that is better than they. "Look at that guy. He's so Holy. God must love him so much." But this is not just Religious Folks. See that older guy with the brand new red Sports Car? Or the Lady with the big Rock on her hand? Or,,, well, you get the point.

It is Human Nature for us to want to be loved and honored. It is Human Nature to attempt to work toward "stuff." He who dies with the most toys wins. ETC. But this is not the way of the Child Of God. Jesus put it this way...

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." {Matthew 6:19-21}

Oh, they can see your Big House with rooms you will never go in. They can marvel at all your World Accomplishments. But when you are working for the Lord, serving God, YOUR Treasures are for YOU. No one can see them. No one can be jealous of them. But does this matter? You see, the stuff people can see? The stuff people become Jealous of? When your time comes, someone else gets all that stuff.

Then you have those that want to be looked up to and Honored, for their Positions. Yup. Even in the Church. There was even Jealousy and Envy among some of the Disciples. Jesus had to teach them a lesson to, uh, curb their Enthusiasm?

"And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.

But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth." {Luke 22:24-27}

See we are not to seek a position of Power or Authority in anything. We are to seek first the Kingdom of God. We are to Love God with all our Heart, Mind, and Soul. We are to be obedient to whatsoever God tells us to do.

"Build a Boat." But it's not raining? "Go to the most powerful man in the world and tell him to let my people go." Yeah, OK. "Leave the Sheep and go kill the Giant." Uh, What? "Peter, leave your Father and Family Business and I will build my Church on you." SURE... "Saul, Stop killing my people and I will make you a great Saint to the Gentiles."

Do you see the Pattern? None of these men were striving for greatness. None of them were attempting to become what they became. Most of them had no clue what was coming. The thing they all have in common? They were all obedient to God. They trusted in Him. They had a Spirit about them, Faith in them, and a Love for God, that allowed God to reach out to them. They were not too busy pretending to be someone or something they were not.

Now? Now we have it so much easier. Seriously. See, Noah, Moses, and King David, before his Kingship, had enough faith within themselves. Noah was one of the Patriarchs of the Bible, who remained faithful to God, despite the corruption that occurred around him. We know virtually nothing about Noah's early days. The Bible describes Noah as having been "blameless among the people of his time" and that "he walked with God." God told Noah that He was going to cause a great flood to destroy mankind and he was to build a large Ship, an Ark, in which he, his Family and Livestock were to survive.

Moses? We all know his story. A Son of a Slave who was spared, found, and grew up in Royalty, only to lead the great Exodus. Then you have David. A little meek man, the smallest of all his brothers, a Shepard in the Fields, until he slaughtered the Giant, and God made him KING.

Now? Child of God. Jesus had not yet come. He was not transformed. He did not raise from the Dead. The Holy Spirit did not come until after these things. But NOW? Now all you have to do is accept Jesus. He has come and died for YOU. He will never leave you comfortless nor alone. He sends to you the holy Spirit. He "who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." Jesus told us...

"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 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. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, 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. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." {John14:16-25}

Do not wast your time pretending to be someone or something you are not. Be the Child of God you are, and let Him use you in whatever manor He chooses.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus IS Lord..