Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries
What it means to be initiated into the secret of the mystery. Part 71. The mystery of the fruit of love and happiness. .
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Peace is integrity “within” toward self.
Goodness is integrity in expression toward others.
Self-control is integrity in expression toward God.
The first fruit that abiding in Christ and learning and applying His word will produce is the standard of agape-love which TLJC commands all believers to have, which is supernatural and totally divine in character.
JOH 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Meno - to stay in a given place, state or relationship, remain, abide, continue, to maintain unbroken fellowship with one, 1JO 2:19, to be continually operative in Him by His divine influence and energy, JOH 14:10, to persevere, to endure.
Verse 16 - “We know agape love by this, that He laid down His life for us” = John indicates the agape love for the lost which led to the sacrifice on the cross.
Verse 17 - having indicated also the lack of love in the one who makes no sacrifice for others, the Apostle John states, “How does the love of God abide in him?”
PRO 17:9 He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.
MAT 5:44 “But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you”
LUK 6:27 “But I say to you who hear, love Your enemies, do good to those who hate you,”
JOH 14:15 “If you love Me, you will keep my commands.”
JOH 14:21 “He who has My doctrines and keeps them, he it is who loves Me;”
JOH 14:24 “He who does not love Me does not keep My doctrines;”
PHI 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in epignosis doctrine and all discernment,
PHI 2:2 Make my happiness complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same agape love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
1PE 4:8 Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.
Second part of the fruit - nominative singular feminine noun “chara” - joy = inner happiness and contentment.
Albert Camus - “To be happy we must not be too concerned with others.”
Add a little doctrine to that and we could say to be happy we must not be too occupied with others but occupied with TLJC.
True happiness or joy is the monopoly from the Lord, a treasure in the soul, and therefore should be guarded carefully, and nothing in this world can ever coincide with it.
Satan’s myth of arrogance is that both people and pleasant circumstances in life can make you happy.
Satan’s propaganda is that money, success, pleasure, social life, sexual life, public approbation, fame, material things, travel, health, and pleasant circumstances in life can make you happy.
True happiness comes from spiritual wealth, not material wealth.
Happiness comes from giving, not getting.