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Chapter 5:16-26 The fruit of the Spirit is love Galatians 5;22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. As we study the fruit of the Spirit you will begin to see that we are really studying is the character of God. We must become Christ-like and therefore it is essential that we know what he is like, so we know what we are aiming at in our lives. Jesus says ‘by their fruit shall ye know them’ referring to the character of the false prophets. We need to know what good fruit is like to be able to spot the false prophet. This is important in these last days of increasing deception. Or how about a marriage, business, or ministry partner or even a leader in the church. It is all about character. The fruit of the Spirit in your life will draw those who are open to salvation to you and will cause those who hate God to hate you. Fruit in the natural sense contains seeds for reproduction. When an unbeliever tastes or sees the fruit in your life, a seed of love is sown in their hearts which God can bring to life; love reproducing love. Galatians 5:16-18 the battle between the spirit and the flesh is dealt with in a separate teaching at https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-part-2 Galatians 5:19-21 These verses describe the life that we lived as unbelievers. Paul reminds the Church that those who habitually practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22-23 The Greek word for fruit is karpos (also see John 15 1-8) is singular and therefore it is incorrect to refer to the fruits of the spirit. The idea conveyed by the expression ‘fruit’ is that of a blended whole and not nine separate items. The blended whole is love… which expresses itself in numerous ways: Love is Joy Love is Peace Love is Longsuffering Love is Gentleness Love is Goodness Love is Faith and Faithfulness Love is Meekness Love is Temperance (self-control). When white light shines through a raindrop (which acts as a prism) it is separated into red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. The colours in the rainbow merge so that it has hard to tell where one ends and another begins, so with the fruit of the spirit. The love (akin to the white light) is shed abroad in our hearts (prism) by the Holy Spirit, and as it passes through us the love is split into its component parts such as joy, peace etc. The fruit produced over time is appropriate to the upcoming circumstances e.g. temperance or self-control under a season of temptation etc. The fruit of the spirit is produced as the Holy spirit sheds the Love of Christ into our hearts (Romans 5:5). The Holy Spirit is reproducing the life of Christ in us. This process involves obedience both to the written word and to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The Word and the Spirit work together. God is love……and if this is true then God is joy, peace etc. these must must be part of his being. John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. Jesus is the vine; the Father is the gardener, and we are the branches. The Holy Spirit is the sap (liquid love that is pumped into hearts and through us) that causes leaves, flowers, and fruit to appear in our lives. We can hinder this process by disobeying the word of God i.e. sins such as, selfishness, unforgiveness etc. which sins are like ligatures that stop the flow of love out to ourselves and others. Abiding in the vine (walking close to the Lord in obedience) allows a steady flow of the liquid love that produces the fruit of the spirit. Spiritual fruit as with natural fruit takes time to develop. Some other thoughts about Love We are born with the need to love and to be loved. That is why love is such a big seller of songs, books, and movies etc. There are distinct types of love as can be illustrated by the four Greek words for love [1]. 1. phileo; the love of a friend or a brother. 2. storge; mother love (for her child). 3. eros; sexual love. 4. agape; the love of God. The first three are types of human love and at best, are only pale reflections of agape love, the selfless love of God. When the believer is filled and moved by the love of God, then they can surpass the human loves [2]. [1] C S Lewis The four loves [2] An example might be, if a young man or woman with Christian parents, is called to the mission field, the storge love of the parents might tempt them to dissuade their child. However, the agape love would overcome this and send them out with a blessing. There is a lovely revealing use of the two different words used in scripture for love i.e. agapeo and phileo in John 21:15-17. Jesus asks Peter if he loves (using agapeo-selfless love) him twice, but Peter answers with phileo (friendly or brotherly love). Jesus then uses Peter’s phileo when he asks a third time. The message is that agape is willing to lay down its very life for God. Agape (love) became the characteristic word of Christianity. The Holy Spirit brought new meaning to this word. Agape love is selfless and seeks to do good to all me but especially to our fellow believers. This agape love flows from God to us and through us, to our fellow man. Amen Your Prayer For full text for printout and access to all parts of 'Lessons from Galatians' please click below https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/lessons-from-galatians-part-5b

Galatians 5:1-15 Christian Liberty Jesus Christ has set us wonderfully free from a difficult set of rules that always seemed to leave us defeated. Jesus has given us a new and living way in that the Holy Spirit comes and dwells in each believer. The Holy Spirit working in us with the Word of God leads and guides us into the abundant life and all good things. 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. The believer must walk in the freedom that Christ has purchased for them. The believer must not submit to legalism in any of its forms all of which bring bondages. This includes the legalism of the Judaizing teachers who wanted to circumcise them as part of keeping the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. You can have either salvation by grace or try to earn it by keeping the Law and the choice is yours. However you will not manage to keep the Law and hence you can fall away from grace! The believer must highly prize the grace of God as a gift for this is what makes the difference in a believer’s walk of faith. Our faith is demonstrated by love in action towards God and our fellow man. Love Fulfils the Law 7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. 12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off! Paul here alludes to the Judaizing teachers who were hindering the believers, trying to dissuade them from the true faith, and they were troubling the Galatian Christians. Paul in reference to those preaching circumcision says that he wishes that they would go the whole hog and emasculate themselves! 13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! The whole point of Christian liberty is not to remove the moral constraints of the Law but to give us the opportunity to serve one another in love. The constraints of love are the highest form of constraint. The goal of our liberty is to be of loving service to other people. Amen Your Prayer For full text for printout and access to our full sermon library please click on the link below https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/lessons-from-galatians-part-5a

Chapter 4:16-31 Believers are children of the free woman 4:16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? How often it seems like this, our flesh hates to be corrected, and we want to make the person who pointed out our error, the enemy. A faithful friend will admonish his erring brother/sister, and if the erring brother has any sense at all he will thank his friend. In the world truth produces hatred. Whoever speaks the truth is counted an enemy. But among friends it is not so, much less among Christians. The Apostle wants his Galatians to know that just because he had told them the truth, they are not to think that he dislikes them. "I told you the truth because I love you." 17 Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. In this way Paul brings the false apostles into suspicion. He questions their motives. He maintains that their zeal is mere pretence to deceive the Galatians. Our Saviour Christ also warned us, saying: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing." (Matt. 7:15.) 18 It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you. 19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, As parents reproduce their physical characteristics in their children, so the apostles reproduced their faith in the hearts of the hearers, until Christ was formed in them. The Word of God falling from the lips of the apostle or minister enters the heart of the hearer. The Holy Spirit impregnates the Word so that it brings forth the fruit of faith. In this manner every Christian pastor/leader is a spiritual father who forms Christ in the hearts of his hearers. 20 how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you! Two Covenants 21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? Here Paul would have closed his Epistle because he did not know what else to say. He wishes he could see the Galatians in person and straighten out their difficulties. But he is not sure whether the Galatians have fully understood the difference between the Gospel and the Law. To make sure, he introduces another illustration. He knows people like illustrations and stories. 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. 23 His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise. 24 These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written: "Be glad, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have no labour pains; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband." 28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son." His final argument is an appeal to the Law itself, and is addressed directly to those who desire to be under the Law. He reminds them of Abraham's two sons by Sarah and Hagar and contends there are allegorical implications concerning the two covenants. Hagar, the bondwoman who gave birth to Ishmael, represents the covenant given at Mt. Sinai, and corresponds to physical Jerusalem and the bondage of those under the Law. Sarah, Abraham's wife who gave birth to Isaac, who represents the new covenant, and corresponds to the heavenly Jerusalem which offers freedom to all who accept it. With a reminder that those born of the Spirit can expect persecution by those born according to the flesh, Paul concludes his defence of the gospel of justification by faith in Christ by proclaiming that those in Christ are of not of the bondwoman but of the free (vv.21-31). Sarah's demand that the bondwoman and her son be cast out of the house was undoubtedly a blow to Abraham. He felt sorry for his son Ishmael. The Scripture explicitly states Abraham's grief in these words: "And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight, because of his son." (Gen. 21:11.) But God approved Sarah's action and said to Abraham: "Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called." (Gen. 21:12.) The Holy Ghost contemptuously calls the admirers of the Law the children of the bondwoman. "If you do not know your mother, I will tell you what kind of a woman she is. She is a slave. And you are slaves. You are slaves of the Law and therefore slaves of sin and death. You are not fit to be heirs. You are put out of the house." 31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman. This leads us in nicely to chapter 5 which deals with the wonderful liberty we have in the Holy Spirit. Summary In the fulness of time, Jesus Christ the son of God was born subject to the Law. He came to redeem humankind from the penalty of the Law, so that we could be freed from sin and able to enter the Family of God as mature sons. When you heard and believed the Gospel, God poured out his Holy Spirit into your heart, and he cries ‘Abba Father, Daddy God and causes us to know that we are saved, and not only saved, but that we have become sons of the living God. When the Spirit within us cries Abba Father, we can know for certain that the Father hears him and through him us. Since we are now sons of God, we can no longer be slaves, but heirs of the all the exceeding great and precious promises of God. We are the children of the free woman not the bond woman and must never permit ourselves to be enslaved by the Law or anything else again. For full text for printout and access to other parts of 'Lessons from Galatians' please click on link below https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/lessons-from-galatians-part-4b

Let us consider the question of Jerusalem and Israel's relevance to the church of Jesus Christ. Firstly let us look to the Psalms for some context. Psalm 122 1 I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord. 2 Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: 4 Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. 5 For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. 7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. 8 For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. 9 Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. Verse 6 The Psalmist tells God’s people to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and invokes prosperity on the lovers of Jerusalem and Israel. But you say that was the old covenant, what does the new covenant say to the church about Israel? Romans Chapter 11 addresses this issue in depth (to see my personal commentary please go the photo at the bottom of this page) Very briefly in Romans Chapter 11 We find that Abba Father has not forgotten the Children of Israel. It was always God’s intention to bring together a remnant of the Jews and a proportion of the Gentiles into one family through Jesus Christ. This chapter outlines the process through which God has led the Jews and Gentiles to get them to becoming one family. The Jews always sought to achieve right standing with God through keeping the Law and of course, were unable to do so. Only the elect remnant of the Jews achieved right standing with God through faith but the others, the majority in some way were hardened by the influences of God. Paul now gives examples of this hardening from Moses and David. Moses spoke of a spirit of stupor that produces mental and spiritual apathy that was still working on the unbelieving Jews in Paul’s day. God is not finished with the Israel Zechariah 12:10 I will bring them (Israel) again also out of the land of Egypt and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and place shall not be found for them.11 And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away. 12 And I will strengthen them in the Lord; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the Lord. Please note that God is not finished with Jews. Pray for peace of Jerusalem and God’s people Israel. Here is something wonderful for the church (Psalm 122:6). Jerusalem means the ‘possession of peace.’ Today the church of Jesus Christ is also a ‘possession of peace’. Revelation 21 2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. The heavenly Jerusalem is prepared as a ‘bride’. Spiritually, Jerusalem can be likened to the church God is building ties in with Zion. Remember that our bodies are temples of Holy Spirit in other words, God’s dwelling place. A place of giving praise and thanks. This is a special prayer for Israel and the church. Let us take the actual words of the above scriptures and turn them into prayers; Lord, in Jesus’ name we pray for the peace of Jerusalem. We pray, for Jerusalem that peace be within thy walls and prosperity within thy palaces. Peace be within thee and we seek thy good always. Amen Shalom

Chapter 4:1-15 Meet your Abba Father 4:1 What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. An everyday example. 2 He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. Other people boss him around and tell him what to do. 3 So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. By the principles or elements of the world the Apostle does not mean the physical elements. In calling the Law "the elements of the world" Paul is saying that the Law is something material, mundane, earthly. It may restrain evil, but it does not deliver from sin. The Law does not justify; it does not bring a person to heaven. I do not obtain eternal life because I do not kill, commit adultery, steal, etc. Such mere outward decency does not constitute Christianity. Even an unbeliever can observe the same restraints to avoid punishment or to maintain a good reputation. God receives no glory from this. In a sense the Law brings us into condemnation. Paul is saying that such effects of the Law certainly cannot be called divine or heavenly. These effects are principles or elements of the world. 4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights (KJV adoption) of sons. Two thousand or so years ago in a stable in Bethlehem, Jesus Christ the son of God was born to his mother Mary and was born subject to the Law. He came to redeem humankind from the penalty of the Law, so that we could be freed from sin and able to enter the Family of God as mature sons. 6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." When you heard and believed the Gospel, God poured out his Holy Spirit into your heart, and he cries ‘Abba Father'. Daddy God and causes us to know that we are saved, and not only saved, but that we have become sons of the living God. The Holy Spirit operates in us in such a way to produce new motives, new desires, new ways [1]. When the Spirit within us cries Abba Father, we can know for certain that the Father hears him and through him us. 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. Checkmate! Says Paul, since we are now sons of God, we can no longer be slaves, but are heirs of the promises of God. 8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. 9 But now that you know God--or are known by God--how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? 10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! The Apostle Paul knew what the false apostles were teaching the Galatians: The observance of days, and months, and times, and years. The Jews had been obliged to keep holy the Sabbath Day, the new moons, the feast of the Passover, the feast of tabernacles, and other feasts. The Judaizers urged the Galatians to observe these Jewish feasts under threat of damnation. Paul tells the Galatians that they were exchanging their Christian liberty for the weak and beggarly elements of the world. 11 I fear for you, that somehow, I have wasted my efforts on you. 12 I plead with you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong. Paul is saying that it was not that they had not offended him personally in any way, but it was because of his love and concern for them that they should stick to the one true gospel. 13 As you know, it was because of an illness [2] that I first preached the gospel to you. 14 Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. When Paul speaks of the infirmity of his flesh, he does not mean some physical defect or carnal lust, but the sufferings and afflictions which he endured in his body. What these infirmities were he himself explains in II Corinthians 12:9, 10: "Most gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." "In labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck," etc. (2 Cor. 11:23-25.) By the infirmity of his flesh Paul meant these afflictions and not some chronic disease. He reminds the Galatians how he was always in peril at the hands of the Jews, Gentiles, and false brethren, how he suffered hunger and want. 15 What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me. The Apostle continues his praise of the Galatians. "You did not only treat me very courteously. If it had been necessary, you would have plucked out your eyes and sacrificed your lives for me." And in very fact the Galatians sacrificed their lives for Paul. By receiving and maintaining Paul they called upon their own heads the hatred and malice of all the Jews and Gentiles. Amen and your prayer [1] 2 Cor:5 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. [2] 769. astheneia, as-then'-i-ah; from G772; feebleness (of body or mind); by impl. malady; mor. frailty:--disease, infirmity, sickness, weakness. For full text for printout and access to all other parts of 'Lessons from Galatians' click below https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/lessons-from-galatians-part-4a

Why is the image of God so important? Thus far in our study of the meaning of 'made in the image of God' we have clearly seen that the bible teaches that this image mainly pertains to God's character of righteousness and holiness. Jesus Christ carried the image of God perfectly. When a believer is born again somehow the image of God is restored. A major goal of the Christian life is to bear a true of image of God our creator. We have covered in part the image of God in the vertical dimension but how should the image of God be applied to our fellow human beings? Here are some questions pertaining to the value of human life. ¨Why should we love our fellow humans? ¨What is the value of a human life? ¨What is a human life worth? ¨Is human life precious? Men and God view these questions from two different perspectives. What price do you place on a Human Life? In many men eyes a life is something cheap or common. A mere convenience or inconvenience to their selfish desires and such an outlook has led to terrible acts and consequences. Answer for yourself what do the following say about the value of human life. Genocide: one example of the Jews by the Nazis Abortion (babies in womb) Euthanasia Starvation in Third World (wars, corrupt, politics) Homeless in our towns Neglect of the elderly. Yet all these things, in a sense we allow, for they are going on in the world. Yes, people who practices or allow such things must see the human lives involved as cheap and common of truly little value. God sees each and every human life as precious. We ought to love our fellow humans because; a] God loves them so much that he gave his most precious Son to the cross. He has commanded it; he wants a community of love. b] Each man, woman, child in some way reflects God being made in his Image and likeness. Each individual person has God`s stamp on them. c} God so loves humankind that he completely identifies with Him in their suffering and judges us according to how we helped and failed our fellow man in their distress. Comments b] The majority of Christians agree that the ‘image’ confers significant importance onto humankind since the ‘image’ was not conferred on any angelic beings or any type of animal. The importance of the image of God is that it causes every single human being no matter how degraded or fallen, to still bear in some way the image of God the Creator. This inspires many believers including me to want to help the poor. Whilst we are not necessarily important of ourselves the image of God shows us, that we are important to God by bearing a ‘family’ resemblance. The depth of God’s love and care was shown in the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This confers importance on us. How should we react to his precious creations? Remember John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you that you love one another as I have loved you. Go and do thou likewise. Amen Prayer: Lord teach us to see of fellow human beings in the way you see them, as valuable and precious souls made in your image. Amen

What does the bible say? However if we look for the ‘made in God’s image’ in scripture, we find something particularly important. Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Taking these two scriptures together they are addressing our ‘old man’ versus our ‘new man’. In Colossians 3:10 we learn that our new man is renewed in the image of him that created him (us). Something happens to our ‘image of God’ that it is distorted by sin but the new birth giving us the new man somehow restores our ‘image of God’ back to something like its original form. From Ephesians 4:22 we can confirm that the old man of the flesh was corrupt through evil lusts and that our new man is created after (like) God is created in righteousness and true holiness. It seems that when we first sin that holy image of God that we bear is tarnished and cannot be restored to its original condition until we have put on the new man (see John 3:7), which is renewed after the image of the Creator. We could consider our repentance from sin (see 1 John 1:9) as a way of keeping our image of God in the proper condition that God desires? When God created man in his own image, he clearly meant man to be creatures of righteousness and true holiness. ¨Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: ¨15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: ¨16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: Jesus Christ bears the perfect likeness of God , untainted nor spoiled by sin. Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father , Jesus replied how long have I been with you, if you have seen me, you have seen the Father. We can summarise at this point by saying that man 'made in the image of God' is referring to God's character first and foremost, and that as He is righteous and holy then we as His image bearers ought to have the same character. Amen Prayer In Part 3 of this study we consider other scriptures that refer to the 'image'.

What does it mean? Modern atheistic scientists tell us that humans are in an unimportant species, found on an insignificant planet in an obscure part of the cosmos. On this approach what are the implications for a single human life? However this is not what the bible says nor what Christians believe. Wikipedia definition of 'image' ¨An image is a visual representation of something. An image can be a two-dimensional representation, such as a drawing, painting, or photograph, or a three-dimensional object, such as a carving or sculpture. Here is the first mention in scripture of the phrase 'made in the image of God'; Genesis 1:26-27 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” There is no clear consensus between theologians and philosophers on what the image of God (or its theological term ‘Imago dei’) might mean. Learned scholars of diverse types think the meaning of 'made in the image of God' might include: 1. Humans are like God in that we are spiritual and rational beings and exercise free-will choices. 2. Humans are like God in being able to form complex relationships. 3. Humans are like God in being able to perform functions e.g. managing the planet and its resources which in some way represent God on earth. All three views have their strengths and weaknesses but together might partly reflect the diverse ways that humans reflect the image of God. However we can get get a much clearer explanation of 'made in the image of God' by turning to scripture. Most times we find that it is best to let scripture interpret scripture (see part 2 of this study to see what the bible says about 'made in the image of God'). Amen Prayer

Romans 2:1-29 & 3:1-8 a short commentary Last time in Chapter 1:18-32 we saw that the wrath of God will be revealed against those who continue to suppress the truth about God and reject the evidence that God has placed in the creation, in the human conscience and in the hardening in sin of those who continue to reject Him. God’s wrath is not fickle but rather builds up over a long period of time. Continual rejection of God produces a downward spiral into total depravity. The spiritual darkness in a person’s heart leads to a mental darkness which in turn leads them into various forms of idolatry and corruption. At this stage God gives up on them so that they can indulge themselves in sexual immorality and begin to believe lies. God then gives up on them again and they begin to indulge in more shameful lusts. God then gives up on them again for the third and final time and mental depravity sets in which then produces some or all the twenty-one manifestations of evil in their lives. The only other evil left at this stage is that those who practice these evil manifestations begin to take pleasure in seeing other people also dishonour God and themselves in the same way. The major themes of the letter (chapters 1-3) focus on the wrath of God; Chapter 1:18-32 God’s wrath against (mainly) the Gentiles. Chapter 2:1-29 God’s wrath against the Jews Chapter 3:1-20 God’s wrath against all sinful men. God’s Righteous Judgment 2:1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3 So when you, a mere human, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? 4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? Whether we are a Jew or a Gentile we cannot take the higher moral ground if we are also committing some of the same 21 evils described in Chapter 1. The Jews in the Roman Church might well be thinking that they can look down on those idolatrous Gentile practices but without realising they tended to idolise their race and their self-life. This is reminiscent of what Jesus said about not trying to take the splinter from your brother’s eye whilst you have a beam in your own eye. If we are going to judge sin, then the safe place to start is with your own sins. Remember God wants obedience not to sacrifice. Paul has in mind the unbelieving but self-righteous Jews whose heart has not been converted. The final day of judgement will surely come. 5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God “will repay everyone according to what they have done.” [1] 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. Paul is telling the unbelieving Jew’s that God’s wrath is in the pipeline and that day will surely come. God will repay everyone according to what they have done. This does not mean that those who have been saved by faith in Jesus Christ will lose their salvation but reminds us as believers that we have both responsibility and accountability to God for how we live during our lives. Paul then describes two large groups of people. Those who persist and persevere in doing what is right in God’s eyes will eventually receive a wonderful eternal reward and be in continual fellowship with Lord forever. Those who are filled with selfish ambition who reject God’s truth will be cast from the Great White Throne Judgement into Gehenna the eternal lake of fire and brimstone for everlasting conscious punishment. People in a sense choose which group they will finish up in. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honour and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favouritism. In creation God has given all people a moral instinct which can be distorted by habitual sin or even by cultural norms. God will judge people by the light they do have i.e. for the Jews by the Law and for the pagans the ‘unwritten’ laws of conscience and nature. It is God’s view that will prevail in the final judgement and not our own self evaluations. No human being will escape God’s final judgements. 12 All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. Here Paul clarifies what he meant in verses 6-11. Unrighteous Gentiles who did not know the Law will perish by ignoring the light they were given. He also makes it clear that the reading of hearing of the Mosaic Law by the Jews is not what counts but rather whether that Jew has endorsed and Law and tried to live by its precepts. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) 16 This will take place on the day when God judges everyone’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. The Gentiles have a sense of right and wrong in their consciences. When the Gentile does good things like treating his family with kindness, helps the poor and deals honestly then this shows his conscience is working properly to some degree. God has given all human minds such thoughts as are necessary to test our conscience. All these things such as men’s thoughts, words, actions, motives and what exactly God thinks of them will become clear on the day of judgement. The Jews and the Law 17 Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;18 if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19 f you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— The Jews were extremely privileged and more so than any other ethnic group but somehow, they did not seem to understand that having these privileges brought concomitant obligations. Many Jews simply wanted bragging rights about their position of privilege rather than using the scriptures to help the poor. They boasted because they were Jews and hence considered themselves better than anyone else. After all they were the chosen people! Did God choose the Jews because they were the best ethnic group? What Paul is saying and is probably ridiculing these Jews along the lines that if you call yourself a Jew and are instructed in the law of Moses and hence know God’s will and you are be able to clearly tell the difference between what matters and what is less important. Then you would also consider yourself a reliable guide to the spiritually blind, someone who could shed light to the spiritually darkened, someone who could instruct the unbelievers, and someone qualified to catechise children, and if you are so smart then why have you not realised that you need to begin to examine your own life. 21 you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? Paul continues that they present themselves as a person living under God’s law and is even able to teach it to others encouraging others to be obedient to the law, then why is it that they do not practice what they preach? Their lives did not measure up to their doctrine. 24 As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”[1] When Jews pretended to be a light to those in darkness then this led to the Gentiles mocking and blaspheming God since He is the God of Israel. Paul now goes on to show who is a true Jew as opposed to a Jew in name only. 25 Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. 26 If those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? 27 The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker. Circumcision does not justify the Jew any more than the hearing of the Law. What really counts is being obedient to God’s word. A parallel today would be for us being baptised and partaking of communion but living in disobedience to God’s word. 28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God. Paul shows that there are two different kinds of Jew; the ‘outward’ Jews who thought simply because they were circumcised, had heard the law and were of the seed of Abraham then these things would bring salvation to them. The ‘inward’ Jew is the true Jew whose heart has been circumcised (distances him from evil) and obeys God’s law. The outward Jew gets his praise from men. The inward Jew gets his approval from God. Romans 3 God’s Faithfulness 1 What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2Much in every way! First, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God. Paul now asks if there is any benefit at all in being born into Israel in a broad sense. He answers his own rhetorical question, you better believe it since God gave to Israel and to no other nation or race, the wonderful and unique privilege of being the stewards of God’s word, His commandments, His prophecies and promises. Israel was meant to receive the revelation of these things and receive and obey them by faith and to spread their message to the other nations. 3 What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? 4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.’’ [2] Although some of the Jews will prove unfaithful God will always be faithful to His covenant promises to Israel. God is not a man that He should lie. Paul then quotes from Psalm 51 to prove his point. [3} 5 But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) 6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? 7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” 8 Why not say—as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say— “Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just! So if sinfulness shows God’s goodness in a better light, does this mean that God is being unfair for judging sinners who have in a sense ‘done Him a favour’? Why not just does all the evil you can so that God’s holiness will shine out even more? Perish the thought! People who say such perverse things do rightly deserve the punishment coming their way. [1] Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward everyone according to what they have done. [2] Isaiah 52:5 “And now what do I have here?” declares the LORD. “For my people have been taken away for nothing, and those who rule them mock’’ declares the LORD. “And all day long my name is constantly blasphemed. [3] Psalm 51:4b Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Full text for print and other chapters at https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/romans-2-1-29-3-1-8

How should we use love? Love as a weapon The concept of love as a weapon is not new as was used to significant effect by Martin Luther King; ‘’ Fifty thousand who took to heart the principle of nonviolence, who learned to fight for their rights with the weapon of love, and who, in the process, acquired a new estimate of their own human worth’’. God has provided each believer with protection for day to day life and this includes the whole armour of God which describes to us the revelations we need to incorporate into our lifestyles for us to be continually fully protected in our spiritual lives. The weapon known as the sword of the spirit is when we use God’s rhema word as weapon against temptation in its various forms and disguises. In the church life the weapon of love is displayed in our various actions such as forgiveness, kindness, tolerance, unity, and service (be addicted to service of the saints- tasso). Are we practicing these day by day? Love is a drug, but it is a good habit. John 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another,” This is the acid test of our discipleship. Brotherly love is a great witness and highly reproductive. The weapon of love helps us to win people to Christ. 1 John 3:16 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers,” Agape love is a sacrificial love. Romans 13:8“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law,” You owe me a debt of love and I owe you a debt of love, When we forgive each other in love it releases each other from the bondage of unforgiveness which is the breeding material for Satan’s destruction of our relationships. Love is all about giving and forgiving. Radical love -Loving our enemies Luke 6:27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, In any given situation if we can demonstrate God’s agape love then we will be wielding our most powerful weapon. Jesus tells us not to render evil for evil but do good to our abusers and tells us even to pray for them. King David fasted and prayed for his enemies. Pretty radical. Most times we struggle to fast and pray for a friend! In this life if we can keep showing love when people treat us badly then something must give and where we show longsuffering love it will break through albeit later than we had hoped for. Some ‘Dirty’ tactics The late Dutch woman and evangelist Corrie Ten Boom had to forgive a prison guard from Auschwitz where her father and sibling were murdered. She could only do this through the love of God. We need to act in love and just as importantly react in love. Corrie said this; You never so touch the ocean of God’s love as when you forgive and love your enemies: this is very challenging. Many years ago a neighbour whose marriage had broken up in the then recent past came to complain about my son hitting her son. We told her that we would investigate and get back to her. We sent our son over with chocolate biscuits for her, befriended her and were able to lead her and her son to Christ. Love is a powerful weapon Do not underestimate the power of even small kindnesses and ask God to show you how to do them every day in life. Many situations can be turned around by small kindnesses. A cup of cold water on a hot day, a bowl of warm soup on a cold night? The Love Weapon in our speech Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger How about telling a sibling you have had an argument with that ‘you love them with love of Lord and that you can see in them the glory of our King’!? It is hard to fight against such power because the love of God is active in it and will touch their heart! How to use the love weapon In the spiritual type of battle we often use the opposite spirit to defeat the enemy e.g. when someone forces us to go a mile, we go the extra mile. They are compelling us be we are submitting to them. If they ask for our tunic give them our cloak as well. They are demanding but we are compliant. When people are mean to us, we should be kind to them. Love is giving and love is forgiving. Matthew 5:40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. Walking in love, repentance, and forgiveness –some people have equated this to wearing the shoes of the gospel of peace- (among our weapons of spiritual warfare) and have suggested that this lifestyle is effective against curses, sickness, and hatred. Perhaps this is worth thinking about! In personality clashes with people when we respond in a godly way by showing love or forgiveness then this usually turns the situation around. Love is indeed a powerful weapon. When you want to hit them, hit them with weapons of love, forgiveness, and kindness! Conditional or unconditional- my opinion This love of God is unconditional in the sense that it does not look at who we are, where we have been or what we have done but focuses on what we will become when we are willing to be changed by the most powerful love of God. The ultimate victory of Jesus Christ’s victory over sin and death has the condition that we must believe it to receive the new birth with forgiveness of our sins and the inheriting eternal life. Wear your weapon of love and wield your weapon of love each day as a lifestyle Summary We need to ask the Lord to continue to pour out the Holy Spirit into our heart’s day by day so that the liquid love of God will flow through us producing fruit in our lives that can be tasted by those around us. Be continually filled with the spirit. We need to use this agape sacrificial love which is out most powerful weapon. We might need to 'fight dirty' to win hearts and minds and souls to achieve God’s purposes in our lives! Amen Prayer

Fight dirty-use God's love Question; is God’s love conditional or unconditional? We are all born with the need to love and to be loved. That is why love is such a big seller of songs, books, and movies etc. The saying that ‘Love makes the world go round’ is probably at least partly true theologically speaking in the sense that it is the love of God that keeps the whole creation in existence. In the English language 'love' has all sorts of different shades of meaning. For instance we say I love pineapple, I love my dog, I love my wife, or I love God. The depth of sentiment hopefully is not the same in these examples! The fact that there are distinct types of love can be illustrated by the four Greek words for love used in the New Testament era [1]: 1. Phileo; the love of a friend or a brother. 2. Storge; natural love like a mother’s love (for her child). 3. Eros; sexual love. 4. Agape; the love of God. The first three are types of human love and at best are only pale reflections of the agape love, the selfless love of God. When the believer is filled and moved by the love of God then they can surpass the human loves. An example might be, if a young man or woman with Christian parents is called to the mission field, the storge love of the parents might tempt them to dissuade their child. However, the agape love would overcome this and send them out with a blessing. The love of God is not indulgent and can be tough! There is a lovely revealing use of the two different words used in scripture for love i.e. agapeo and phileo in John 21:15-17. Jesus asks Peter if he loves (agapeo-selfless love) him twice but Peter answers with phileo (friendly or brotherly love). Jesus then uses Peter’s phileo when he asks a third time. The message is that agape love is a sacrificial love that is willing to lay down its very life for God. Agape (love) became the characteristic word of Christianity. The Holy Spirit brought new meaning to this word. Agape love is sacrificial and selfless and seeks to do good to all men but especially to our fellow believers. Where does this love come from? Romans 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us Definition: To fight dirty means to use any means at your disposal to win in each conflict situation. In a physical fight it could be biting, gouging, head butting, a blow below the belt. Not observing the Marquis of Queensberry rules! Or using a weapon or anything else to hand! Fighting dirty has the connotation of doing ‘whatever its takes’ to win whether fair or unfair. What about our spiritual battles in situations or where all the negative person to person interactions place especially when the living stones rub together . Can the weapon of love be used in these circumstances? [1] CS Lewis The four loves The greatness of Love Definition of agape love: 1 Corinthians 13 is the Greatest Gift 4 Love suffers long and is kind ; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. The power of love Rom 8:37-39. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Love is the glue that holds us to God. Love is the glue that holds us to each other. We are stuck fast to God and each other! Clearly this agape type of love is indeed the most powerful thing in heaven and the cosmos that nothing, yes absolutely nothing, can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. Amen Prayer In Part 2 we focus in in how might be used as a weapon and also give an opinion as to whether God’s love is conditional or unconditional?

Going the extra mile What is the most unfair thing that has ever happened to you? You might have been passed over for a job or promotion when you were best qualified or placed to get it. Your parents might have shown favouritism towards one of your brother or sisters e.g. Jacob/Joseph. Your husband or wife has let you down badly, or you might have been accused of something you never did by your family, neighbours or even the police leading to a false imprisonment. Personal testimony When I was a boy, my family were quite poor and did not have many valuables. However, one time my mother received a Churchill crown (a coin), considered to be valuable. When I was a young teenager my mother took me aside one day, and entrusted the Churchill crown to my safe keeping, I hid it in an old piece of furniture. I forgot all about it for several years, when the matter of the coin was raised at a family gathering, I could not account for it. I knew that I had not sold it or disposed of it, someone in the family must have taken it! I became the butt of family jokes, such as do not give anything to him to look after, look what happened to the Churchill crown! The stigma of an unjust accusation hung over me for many years until eventually a family member kindly gave me another Churchill crown. This experience helped me to identify partly (in a small way) with those suffering from injustice or unfairness. It is not a nice feeling, when you realize that you are being treated unfairly but we must handle unfairness or sense of injustice in a Godly way. Let us turn to God’s word to learn how to cope with unfairness and injustice. Definitions Unfair: is not fair, unjust, or not just, biased, prejudiced, contrary to rules of the game (or life). Matthew 5:38-45 God’s instructions on how to deal with unfairness or injustice. Verse 41; In every situation going the extra mile, there are two parties. The one is you (in your circumstance) we always assume the Christian will be one compelled are you forcing anyone to go the extra mile. Make sure you are the one being forced to go the extra mile and not the other party who is doing the forcing! 1 Corinthians 6:10 Extortion is demanding more of someone than is fair or necessary. Does your spouse always have to give in? Do you always insist on getting your own way? This is the sin of extortion which is forcing people to go or to give more than they are willing. Extortion is not just about money but making unfair demands on someone’s life with the threat of emotional blackmail. God's love never demands its own way. Love never is not selfish and self-seeking. Matthew 5:41 The act of love (by going an extra mile) defuses an act of selfishness. Love covers a multitude of sins. Jesus tells us if someone forces us to go one mile, then go with him two miles. Somehow this going the extra mile neutralizes the power of selfishness. 2 Timothy 3:12 The devil has a special form of unfairness called persecution through which he tempts the believer to be ashamed of being a Christian and with the goal of getting you turn away from God and his word. How did Jesus Christ handle his persecution and unfairness? Acts 8:32-33 (see also Isaiah 53:7-8) Humiliated and persecuted he did not even speak in his own defence. Jesus Christ would be tortured and killed, but because of his love for God the Father and his love for mankind he endured the ultimate injustice and unfairness and was silent like lamb before his shearers. He who was without sin, was made to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:31). God the Father did not spare God the Son from great suffering in his earthly ministry. It seems that for all Christians living Godly lives then we can expect persecution and unfairness will come. But, don’t despair, but count it all joy when you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance, and perseverance must develop so that you may become mature and complete, lacking nothing in your walk with God. God although allowing some injustice in our lives, never lets us be tempted above our measure when we are hurting through injustice. We can go to God and ask for judgement in the Old Testament sense, knowing that the judge of all the earth will do right. Psalm 7:8 Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteous, according to my integrity says the psalmist. God is the one who vindicates his people. Conclusion When unfairness comes, walk the extra mile, show love which disarms evil or selfishness and when the pressure gets too great, then call out to the judge of all the earth knowing that he will do right. Amen Prayer