Sirach 34:28-31
28
One builds, and one tears down. What did they gain more than hard labor?
29
One prays, and one curses. To whom will the master listen?
30
When one bathes due to a corpse, and when one touches it again, what did he gain by his washing?
31
So is a person, when he fasts for his sins, and goes again and does the same things; who will listen to his prayer? And what did he gain by humbling himself?
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John the Baptist made straight paths in his ministry. He ministered the repent and bearing fruit worthy of that repent. Yes, under Law he still did water cleansings we call water baptisms. He did this because it was those under Law that sought him out. But the traditional ceremony of the water baptism, was used to cleanse the body, symbolically like the flood washed away the iniquities by the Lord's hand. The ministry of John was done at the water's edge, and his ministry was more than what tradition called for. He instructed those who came to him for cleansing, to repent their sinful ways, and then not return to them. This was the straight path to the ministry of Jesus that was the good news of the Kingdom and the gospel of faith.
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Matthew 3:5,6,8,11
5
People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan.
6
Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
8
Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.
11
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
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The Holy Spirit baptism, is the only baptism. The Holy Spirit baptism is based on Jesus being the Son of God and the Father's Holy Authority. By this authority, you confess your sin, in seeking forgiveness. Your sincere faith is all that is needed for forgiveness to be granted. But from that point forward, you must seek to replace your sinfulness with holiness. This is what denial of self means.
The Holy Spirit guides and provides from the Kingdom, that which you need. Whether is be self control, love, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faith, goodness, or joy. These holy attributes are what replaces the reactions of sin that we grew into and relied upon growing up, such as; anger, rage, jealousy, pride, envy, doubt, lust, sexual immorality, bitterness, and malice.
Most of us believers have a clear understanding of this. But what is unclear to some is that, there is a time of development that becomes a maturity as we progress. It is not easy for those who were not raised under Law, as we were raised within our transgressions. All have to be born again, born anew in this idea that denial of the desires of this host flesh, gives us the capacity to have holiness come through us instead.
The commandments of sin such as idolatry, murder, theft, covetous..these are easier to put aside then the others reactions we have grown accustom to. Being envious for example is driven by greed, and most cultures these days actually are founded on greed. We are raised to compete for meaningless positions and possessions, and this creates all sorts of cost in those around us as well as in ourselves. To deny ourselves our emotions and reactions, must then be based on something of greater value.
This is the premise of Love.
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Matthew 22:36-40
36
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
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Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, your soul, and your mind.’
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This is the first and greatest commandment.
39
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
40
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
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If we sincerely love someone, we strive to overcome any obstacles in our way. The blood of the Son Of God was shed so we could overcome ourselves to grow close to the Father through grace from our sinfulness. The same is said for loving others. Jesus ascended into the presence of the Father and the Holy Spirit was sent down to provide believers with guidance and access to the holiness of the Kingdom, so that we could be beacons for others to witness.
The belief of not only confessing our sinful desires but seeking to replace them with holiness, honors the Father through the Son. What we ask for is always in full supply and overflows, meaning what we need, we can be confident is more than we could ourselves supply alone.
It is humbling. We remain in a world, and in a flesh host that does not recognize the Spirit of Truth. Our actions in love are met with reactions. It is a sufferance that each and every sincere believer contends with.
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Gospel of Thomas 14:1-3
1
Jesus said to them, "If you fast, you will bring sin upon yourselves,
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and if you pray, you will be condemned,
3
and if you give to charity, you will harm your spirits.
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The world and this flesh are bound and oppressed by the prince of this world and this flesh. Although Jesus is King and all authorities answer to him, they are in place for a purpose. To develop without conflict is to gain nothing. But to develop by overcoming conflict is to gain wisdom and confidence. Yes, we suffer. But are suffering has purpose.
Confess your sin. It is a recognition of them that show you and the Lord that the light in you is valuable to you. Produce holiness to replace the sin of your confession. This is proof that not only do you recognize your sin, but that your love for the Father, others, or both, sincerely deserves your effort spiritually.
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Matthew 6:33
33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
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Persevere. Believers all over the world, alive and dead, suffer, or have suffered to glorify the Son in the Father. Your specific battle, is vital, and every sincere effort you make to bring forth holiness through you is celebrated in heaven.
Be genuine in your walk. Stay alert. Pray constantly. Focus on deliberately seeking to replace your reasonings and emotional reactions with holiness from the Kingdom. The Holy Spirit is not only there for you, but waiting.
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