The ancient Greek word translated "honest" is "Kalos," meaning honest, admirable, fair, honorably. It has to do with conduct. As Christians we need beautiful conduct to "make our truth attractive." We have a new, born-again nature. Our old lying nature has been done away with; and now the Spirit of Truth lives inside of us and needs to come out, "‭. . . providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men" (2 Corinthians 8:21, KJV). Christians must be honest, but even more than just truth telling; our truth needs to be attractive to God and to others. We must get deception out of all areas of our lives. The apostle Paul wrote: "Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates [rejected]. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth" (2 Corinthians 13:7, 8, KJV). We must continue to do what is right, even though we appear as those who do wrong. Since honesty comes from God; where does lying come from? Jesus told the Pharisees, "‭You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it" (John 8:44, NKJV‬). Satan, the devil, is the father of lies. He continues to try to deceive us. Paul exhorted to "‭. . .be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, putting away lying, 'Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,' for we are members of one another" (Ephesians 4:23-25, NKJV‬). We must understand the obligation we have to God and to each other, to speak truthfully; to have a reputation that is pleasant, honorable and attractive. Do you want this? This message could help. Selah!

Let me hear from you - Charles

www.aboundinglove.org

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In recent episodes, I've taught things on Christian character and this one is on hospitality. In the Old Testament, there is no word translated "hospitality", but it is found in stories which illustrate the concept as a duty one is required to perform. In Genesis 18:1-8, we see Abraham being hospitable to the three angels. Again, in Genesis 19:1-11, we find Lot doing the same, plus there's numerous other such stories. In the New Testament, the Greek word "philoxenia" is found 4x for "hospitality." It's a composite of two words: "Philo" meaning "love" and "Xenia" meaning "a stranger." It literally means "to show love for a stranger." Therefore, in the New Testament hospitality is given, not due to social duty, but out of Christian love. And we find many examples in the Gospels: in Mark chapters 6 and 8, Jesus feeds large groups of people. He is showing hospitality to them. In Luke, Jesus taught to "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (6:38, NKJV). We also see an example in the story of the good Samaritan in Luke, chapter 10. And again in Luke 19:1-11, we find the story of Zacchaeus where he shows hospitality to Jesus. Can we show hospitality to Jesus today? Coming on judgment day, Jesus taught, "And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did to one of the least of these My brethren, you did to Me'" (Matthew 25:40, NKJV). When we show hospitality, we will be blessed and often not in ways we'd expect: "Therefore, 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:20-21, NKJV). I encourage you to listen to this podcast on hospitality, a subject which is often ignored in church teachings.

Let me hear from you - Charles

www.aboundinglove.org

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This message is based on one particular verse, Ephesians 4:32, "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you" (NKJV). We are to be kind, act tenderly towards others, and be forgiving [See episode 352 - How To Forgive]. We are to be this way because God is this way. We have been given a new nature - a divine nature (2 Peter 1:4); born again of incorruptible seed, through the word of God (1 Peter 1:23). We are to renew our mind with God's Word (Ephesians 4:23, 24), which empowers us to be kind. Simply, we show kindness because God's loving-kindness is within us. The Israelites cried out with a loud voice to the LORD their God, ". . . But You are God, ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness, and did not forsake them" (Nehemiah 9:17c, NKJV). They stated emphatically the nature of God in these verses, and we are to manifest His nature. In 2 Corinthians 6, verses 4 through 10, we are told, how as ministers of God, we are to overcome the difficulties we face ". . . by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report, as deceivers, and yet true . . ." (vv. 6-8). Kindness is one of the ways we prevail. It's an attribute of love, and as Christians, we are to be known by our love. I encourage you to listen to this message and see how important this understanding is to your walk as a Christian. May it help you to look for opportunities to be kind when the world is being harsh and unforgiving.

Let me hear from you - Charles

www.aboundinglove.org

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