In Hebrews 6 we are told this by Paul, “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God… But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.  And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” We have put our full faith and trust in our Father in Heaven.

When we accompany Jesus as His disciple and have understood the principles of the Gospel, we then begin learning what it truly means to, walk as He walked. “But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.” – 1 John 2:5-9. As a child, when we are first learning to walk, we are guided as we take our first steps. As we have gained balance within ourselves, our hands are soon let go. We may stumble, we may fall, but there is always someone there to help us get back up and try again.

And try again we do. We have learned that walking is more freeing then crawling. We are able to do more. We have accomplished something. Now we may find our hands in the cookie jar, or we are in a place where we should not be. Yet, even then, we are guided, ever so with patience. As I have learned the principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and know the way, the truth, and the life, many things within me started to change. This world has no power over me anymore.

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.” – Galatians 5:16-18. I no longer desire to see what the next big thing is in the news, or the media, or with the power of states. I may check in on occasion, yet, I find myself more and more just wanting to dwell in Him. I am learning more adequately the perfect law of liberty. “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” – James 1:25.

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” – Matthew 5:48. “Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.” Peter tells us this, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.” Let’s further look at these verses using the Strong’s Concordance.

• 

• 

We are told to be Holy in all manner of our behavior. See brethren, once we begin letting go of this world, letting go of the things that we once did, letting go of ourselves, we are only about one thing… “Know ye not that I am about my Father’s business?” We shouldn’t be arguing or complaining. We shouldn’t be worrying about that next big sale. We shouldn’t be thinking about an upcoming movie. We shouldn’t be thinking about this world at all. We are to be in the world, but not a part of it. “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Are you converted? Are you awake? Do you know the Way? Do you know the Truth? Do you know the Life? “So when they had dined (to take the principal meal, to understand the Gospel), Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Do you love the Lord God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind? Then love your neighbor as yourself and get out there spreading the Word. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” May His Love carry you wherever you go. May His Peace go before you with every step. May the everlasting Gospel make it’s way to every lost sheep.

Jonathan Heller – Lift Up A Banner