If every letter represents a number..
Then,
H-A-R-D-W-0-R-K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11= 98%
K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5= 96%
A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5= 100%
L-O-V-E-O-F-G-0-D
12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4= 101%
What is the lesson from this little exercise? Accumulation of knowledge is good and so is handwork but if our attitude stinks, we will not go far in life. But our attitude cannot be developed by simply pretending to be nice, kind etc. NO! ATTITUDE is an outgrowth or expression of the fruit of the spirit in us. What is the first portion of the fruit of the Spirit?
Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, (23) Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].
Minus agape, our attitude at best will be a huge pretence. True attitudinal change for the better is birthed in GOD and by HIS SPIRIT at work in us. SO let us all endeavour to allow the blessed Holy Spirit to have His way in our lives, our actions, our thoughts, our speech etc. and the end result is that we shall have GOOD success. Why? Because GOD himself is Love and when our attitude is empowered by love, we are unstoppable because GOD is unstoppable. LOVE NEVER FAILS!
1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, Love, these three; but the greatest of these is Love.
Read carefully the following revelation by Apostle Paul:
1Co 13:8-10 Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth]. (9) For our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect). (10) But when the complete and perfect (total) comes, the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away (become antiquated, void, and superseded).
Prophecies will pass away. Tongues will be destroyed. Knowledge is incomplete. Even sermons by the great Apostle Paul and other men is incomplete because no one has all revelation. SO the question is what can we depend on at all times? The simple answer is found in verse 10 and 13 of 1 Cor 13. It is the fruit of the Spirit in you call Love. It is greater than faith and hope and conquers everything. With GOD’s love active and alive in you, you can never fail. From today, decide to love with the love of GOD with everything in you. It is your ticket to greatness. That is why Jesus called it the greatest commandment from GOD to humanity.
Mat 22:36-38 Teacher, which kind of commandment is great and important (the principal kind) in the Law? [Some commandments are light–which are heavy?] (37) And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect). [Deut. 6:5.] (38) This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment.
Apostle John teaches us that we cannot say we love GOD if we hate our brothers and sisters (1Jn 4:20). In fact every group of people on earth have a symbol by which they are recognized. The police have their uniforms, the presidents have their staffs or swords of office, preachers have their clerical collars etc. By what are TRUE children of GOD identified or recognized? Listen to Jesus carefully:
Joh 13:35 By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].
GOD bless you for reading. May we have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; (19) [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! (Eph 3:18-19)
AMEN!
