SEPARATING THE SPIRITUAL FROM THE PHYSICAL

THE HIDDEN MEANING

INTRODUCTION

     In these next scriptures, we at VAL-TE’ believe helps us to survive, protects us when needed, and, at times, helps us to learn and focus on what is important. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Immanuel is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4: 7-19 NKJV

Biblical Word

     FEAR – See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” The words “one more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken – that is, created things – so that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12: 25-29 NIV

Reference

     Malachi 2: 5-9 – “In my covenant I promised them life and well-being, and this is what I gave them, so that they might respect me. In those days they did respect and fear me. They taught what was right, not what was wrong. They lived in harmony with me; they not only did what was right themselves, but they also helped many others to stop doing evil. It is the duty of priests to teach the true knowledge of God. People should go to them to learn my will, because they are the messengers of the LORD Almighty. “But now you priests have turned away from the right path. Your teaching has led many to do wrong. You have broken the covenant I made with you.  So I, in turn, will make the people of Israel despise you because you do not obey my will, and when you teach my people, you do not treat everyone alike.” GNT

Significance

     Knowledge of God (Understanding) – We at VAL-TE’ also believe serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of trust in our own perceptions and the signals that other people send about their character. We are to respect others not just because they are made in the image of God, not because they’ve earned it, but because God respects each one of us and commands us to be the same.

In Dedication to: Mr. Austin Eugene Diggs Sr.