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INDEX: Main Article - For Every Tree Is Known By His Own Fruit (Luke 6:44) - Meekness Health Article - Soy: A Miracle Bean Bible Study and Last Month's Answers Questions on Spiritual Application of Creation - Day 5 Answers to Spiritual Application of Creation - Day 4 Questions and Answers #1 Does 1 John 1:8 contradict 1 John 3:9? #2 Where in the Bible does it state the birth date of Jesus? #3 When did the wise men show up? Antichrist PICTURE: A single pillar, automatically tiled in the index box, represents "the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." (1 Timothy 3:15)..

FOR EVERY TREE IS KNOWN BY HIS OWN FRUIT (MEEKNESS) (Luke 6:44)

The last seven months we have looked at the first seven stated fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23 ("But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."). This month, we will look at meekness.

As with our previous lessons, we followed the guidelines of proper Bible study outlined in Isaiah 28:10 and performed a word search. Meek occurs sixteen times while Meekness occurs fourteen times. One of these verses contained both words for a grand total of twenty-nine verses.

The first thing we will look at is how the meek are described. Psalms 22:26 "The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever." Psalms 25:9 "The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way." Psalms 149:4 "For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation." Isaiah 29:19 "The meek also shall increase [their] joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel." Matthew 5:5 "Blessed [are] the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Did you know that when Jesus spoke, many times He was quoting from the Old Testament scriptures? Psalms 37:11 "But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." This is why it is important to be careful not to deem the Old Testament as old or non-relevant especially since we are told that "All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:16).

Three verses deal with the description of God. Matthew 11:29 "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matthew 21:5 "Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass." 2 Corinthians 10:1 "Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence [am] base among you, but being absent am bold toward you." As we see, Jesus truly is our example.

The Bible also identifies several people and groups of people as being meek. Numbers 12:3 "(Now the man Moses [was] very meek, above all the men which [were] upon the face of the earth.)" Psalms 45:2-4 "Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever. Gird thy sword upon [thy] thigh, O [most] mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness [and] righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things." This by the way is referring to David. Psalms 76:7-9 "Thou, [even] thou, [art] to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry? Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still, When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah." Psalms 147:6 "The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground." Isaiah 11:4 "But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked." Isaiah 61:1 "The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek." This prophecy by the way, identifies Jesus. Amos 2:6-8 "Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away [the punishment] thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes; That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his father will go in unto the [same] maid, to profane my holy name: And they lay [themselves] down upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned [in] the house of their god." Obviously a list of things people ought not do. Zephaniah 2:3 "Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger." 1 Corinthians 4:21 "What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and [in] the spirit of meekness?" This, by the way, is a statement posed as a question from Paul to the Corinthians.

The remainder of the verses deal with the attribute of Meekness by just stating it, describing it, or associating it with other actions. Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Galatians 6:1-2 "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." Of course this is a challenge when reputation seems to be the thing Satan dangles in front of people these days, "What are people going to think?" and many other temptations. This is why the "spirit of meekness" is stressed. This also avoids heated debates.

Continuing on, Ephesians 4:1-7 "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ." Notice that Paul is not saying that meekness does away with standing up for the doctrines of Christ. In the context, he stresses that one is to be "worthy of the calling" and then lists out basic beliefs of which there is one and only one acceptance for the items specified. What happens is that when people disagree over doctrine, some think meekness is to back down and say "I guess it really isn’t that important." That is not what Paul is saying especially when the Bible tells us "the righteous are bold as a lion." How can one be bold and yet meek? By the grace of God, one can be firm and uncompromising on Biblical standards without getting into a shouting match. Examples include 2 Peter 2:11 "Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord" and Jude 1:9 "Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee."

Colossians 3:12-17 "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye. And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, [do] all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." Again we see that meekness does not mean to back away from Biblical standards but to "admonish." Paul continues this thought in 1 Timothy 6:11-12, "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses."

2 Timothy 2:24-26 "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all [men], apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And [that] they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." We see again that our goal should be the opposite of the world’s goal. Matthew 16:24 "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

Titus 3:1-2 "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, [but] gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men." Obviously fighters are not meek.

James 1:19-25 "Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." Why does James include the law in this discourse with meekness? Notice the opening statement includes counsel of not being wrathful, that is extremely angry (Ephesians 4:26) towards another? Is there a commandment that forbids it? Exodus 20:13 "Thou shalt not kill." What does Jesus say? Matthew 5:21-22 "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire."

And now a few verses with straight messages. James 3:13 "Who [is] a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom." 1 Peter 3:3-4 "Whose adorning let it not be that outward [adorning] of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But [let it be] the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, [even the ornament] of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." 1 Peter 3:14-17 "But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy [are ye]: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For [it is] better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing."

May we have the meekness that draws people to God.

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SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES (John 5:39)

Spiritual Application of Creation - Day 5

1. What was created on the fifth day? Genesis 1:20-23
   
   
   
   
   
2. What did Jesus declare Himself to be? John 6:48, 11:25, 14:6
   
   
   
   
   
3. What two similar miracles occurred with the creatures that were created on this day? Mark 6:41-44, Matthew 15:36-38
   
   
   
   
   
4. What role do the creatures created on this day play in regards to the lost and end time events? Matthew 24:28, Revelation 19:21
   

ANSWERS TO LAST MONTH'S STUDY:

Spiritual Application of Creation - Day 4

1. What was created on the fourth day? Genesis 1:14-19 "And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: [he made] the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that [it was] good. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day."
2. Who represents the greatest light? John 8:12 "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
3. Who represents the lesser light? Matthew 5:14 "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid."
4. What does light do? John 3:19-21 "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."

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YE HAVE HEARD THAT ANTICHRIST SHALL COME (1 John 2:18)

1 John 4:3 "And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist." 2 John 1:7 "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist." What did Christ do in the flesh? Hebrews 9:28 "So Christ was ONCE offered to bear the sins of many."

REVIEW OF THE IDENTIFYING MARKS:

1. . . . would deny Jesus is the Christ either by words, actions, or both (1 John 2:22, Titus 1:16).
2. . . . is in a populated area of the world (Revelation 131-2, 17:15).
3. . . . would wear titles attributed to God (Revelation 13:6, Matt 23:8-12).
4. . . . is a kingdom (Revelation 13:1-2, Daniel 7:23).
5. . . . derives it’s authority based on satanic principles or paganism (Revelation 13:1-2, 12:9).
6. . . . is a little kingdom (Daniel 7:8).
7. . . . would conquer three kingdoms (Daniel 7:8, 20, 24).
8. . . . a single person would be leader of this kingdom (Daniel 7:8).
9. . . . the leader’s name or title would add up to 666 (Revelation 13:18).
10. . . . would embrace non-Christian theology (Revelation 18:2, 1 John 4:1, 3).
11. . . . would not be just another political kingdom (Daniel 7:20, 24).
12. . . . would deny the single sacrifice of Christ (1 John 4:3, 2 John 1:7, Hebrews 9:28).

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THAT THOU MAYEST PROSPER AND BE IN HEALTH, EVEN AS THY SOUL PROSPERETH (3 John 1:2)

SOY: A MIRACLE BEAN

Winston J. Craig, Ph.D., R.D.

Citrus, in addition to its ample supply of vitamin C, folic acid, potassium and pectin, contains more than 150 phytochemicals that also protect our health. The flavonoids in citrus possess a wide range of properties, including anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activity, inhibition of blood clot formation, and strong antioxidant activity. The flavonoids (tangeretin and nobiletin) and the limonoids (which provide the bitter taste) stimulate an enzyme that inhibits tumor formation. Citrus pulp and the white of the orange are rich in glucarates, substances being studied for the potential to prevent breast cancer. Tangerines, pink grapefruit, and oranges all contain significant levels of carotenoid pigments that protect us against cancer.

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ANSWERS FOUND IN THE SCRIPTURE OF TRUTH (Daniel 10:21)

QUESTION #1 - Harrisburg - Does 1 John 1:8 contradict 1 John 3:9?

ANSWER #1 - 1 John 1:8 "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." 1 John 3:9 "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." The answer is no, they do not contradict each other, in fact, the Bible does not contradict itself, it is finite human minds that cause the problem.

Look closer at the two verses. 1 John 1:8 is of a past tense or at least of a struggle to overcome with the later being supported in the very next verse: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). No matter how sinful our past has been or even our current situation is, Christ is willing to forgive us our sins, but note the condition, "If we confess our sins."

On the other hand, those that believe they can go on committing sin and yet be "saved" are deceiving themselves for they actually work for the devil. This is what is brought out in 1 John 3:9 as well as verse 8: "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."

You see, the short of it is that Christ came to save us FROM sin and not IN sin: Psalms 51:2 "Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin." Matthew 1:21 "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." Romans 6:7 "For he that is dead is freed from sin." Romans 6:18 "Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." Romans 6:22 "But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life."

Besides, Revelation 21:7 "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." If someone told you that they overcame the habit of smoking while they were puffing on a cigarette, would you believe them? Of course not. The same is true for the Christian. If one has overcome sin by the grace of God, they will no longer live in sin.

QUESTION #2 - Newville - Where in the Bible does it state the birth date of Jesus?

ANSWER #2 - No where, in fact, December 25 is not that date. We know this because Luke 2:8-11 "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." When Christ was born, the sheep were in the fields at night which is not an act performed in the winter. Further, tracing the decree for taxation driving all to return to their birth towns (Luke 2:1-3), it has been determined by various scholars that this occurred in what we call September or October in the year 3 or 4 BC. In either case, the simple answer is that God did not provide us with that information.

QUESTION #3 - Newville - When did the wise men show up?

ANSWER #3 - We do not know for certain when it was, but they did not show up at the time of the birth or even shortly there after. Matthew 2:11 "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." First, note that the wise men entered a "house" to see Jesus and not the stable. The second point is that Jesus is referred to as a "young child" and no longer an infant. Further, the decree to kill all children two years and younger (Matthew 2:16) would not have been necessary if Jesus were still a newborn.

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