From the recording 77 Lessons of Life #56-66
Lyrics
Lesson 57 of 77
Divine Love, The Fuel of Divine Works
{See Lessons 14, 32, 47, 64}
By Lawrence DeMetrius
Mortals are created to be and abound in works that glorify their Creator. Moses writes,
And God said, Let US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the seas, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
So God created man in HIS OWN image, in the image of God created HE him; male and female created HE them.
[Gen 1:26, 27]
However, their God-given gifts and callings are without repentance. King David writes,
THOU <God in Christ> hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: THOU hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, <Why?> that the LORD God might dwell among them.
Blessed be THE LORD, WHO daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
[Ps 68:18, 19]
Apostle Paul writes,
For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
[Rm 11:29]
Mighty works can be performed even when one’s heart is not whole towards Yahweh. The Lord Jesus said,
Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy Name?
And in Thy Name have cast out devils? And in Thy Name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.
[Mt 7:21-23]
No matter how glorious one’s giftings are no work for Yahweh can be performed unless it is done so in real love. Apostle John writes,
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love <righteousness in action>.
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent HIS only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that HE loved us, and sent HIS Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
[I Jn 4:7-10]
Apostle Paul writes,
Let all your things be done in charity.
[I Cor 16:14]
The evidence of real love towards THE LORD is one’s attentiveness and obedience to HIS directives. King Solomon writes,
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep HIS commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.
[Eccl 12:13]
Apostle John writes,
Whosever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and everyone that loveth HIM that begat loveth Him also that is begotten of HIM.
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep HIS commandments.
For this is the love of God, that we keep HIS commandments: and HIS commandments are not grievous.
[I Jn 5:1-3]
The Lord Jesus said,
I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: <Why?> For thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word, and hast not denied My Name.
Because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
[Rev 3:8, 10]
Abundance of good works is expected of the disciples of Christ, who progress therein as they mature in Him. The Lord Jesus said,
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
[Mt 5:14-16]
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father.
[Jn 14:12]
I am the Vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.
Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit: so shall ye be My disciples.
[Jn 15:5, 8]
Apostle Paul writes,
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing incorruptness, and gravity, sincerity,
Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
Looking for the blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;
Who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of <or filled with> good works.
[Tit 2:7, 8, 13, 14]
The good works that Christ and His Original Apostles taught about, are of the divine nature and derive from love expressed between Yahweh, HIS Christ and those born-again of Christ and the Holy Ghost. Prophet Jeremiah writes,
It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because HIS compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is THY faithfulness.
The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore, will I hope in HIM.
The LORD is good unto them that wait for HIM, to the soul that seeketh HIM.
It is good that a man should BOTH hope and quietly wait for the salvation of THE LORD.
[Lam 3:22-26]
A heart that is not wholly devoted to Yahweh is defiled in Yahweh’s perspective, and does not have the capacity to truly love HIM or any member of HIS household. The Lord Jesus said,
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
[Mt 6:24]
Apostle Paul writes,
Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
They profess that they know God; but in works they deny HIM, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
[Tit 1:15, 16]
Apostle John writes,
Love not the world <influenced by Lucifer>, neither the things that are in the world <that is governed by Lucifer>. If any man love the world <that is governed by Lucifer>, the love of the Father is not in him <because no one can serve Yahweh and Lucifer>.
For all that is in the world <under Lucifer’s rule that is filled with>, the lust of the flesh <carnal nature>, the lust of the eyes <double-minded nature>, and the pride of life <self-confidence void of respect for Yahweh’s guidance>, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.
[I Jn 2:15-17]
Blessedly, through Christ the Word, all hearts given to Him by Yahweh are thereby empowered to love and generate through love great abundance of good works to the glory of THE DIVINE GODHEAD. The Lord Jesus said,
Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that, ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain…
These things I command you, that ye love one another.
[Jn 15:16a, 17]
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