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Seek, and ye shall find ( Matthew 7:7).
Rev. 12:9. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and the angels were cast out with him.
1 Cor. 2:14,15. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
Acts 26:17. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Matthew 7:7. Seek, and ye shall find.
There is only one City in the world that is built on seven mountains ( Rev. 17:9) and that is Rome: the Capitoline, the Quirinal, the Viminal, the Esquiline, the Caeline and the Aventine.
Seek, and ye shall find ( Matthew 7:7).
The Many. There are those Christians who believe they can never stop sinning, and even so, believe they will attain salvation/heaven. They reinforce this sin message between themselves, all the while continuing to live worldly lives, and assuring themselves that sin will be all around them engulfing them for the rest of their lives.
1 John 1:6 "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:"
1 John 2:15 "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
James 4:8 "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."
The Few. Then there are VERY FEW Christians who believe they can actually stop sinning with the help of God's Holy Spirit, and they strive to do so everyday, as the scriptures command, eventually overcoming sin, and winning the ultimate prize Salvation!
1 John 3:6 "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him."
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."
Now when we compare the above (2) Christain mindsets - we can now put this verse below into the proper perspective:
Matthew 7:14 "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
A good question to ask ourselves EVERYDAY - Do we want to be counted in the Many, or the Few?
GBU
Wonderful message of scriptural truth, and thanks for sharing. Hopefully, it will reach "a few special ones" that are sincerely open and desiring to recieve God's Spirit in them, because almost all Christains today don't want to hear that they need to stop sinning. When you show them the scripture about this - they just ignore it, or find excuses why it doesn't pertain to them.
They well tell you; This life is short and they want to enjoy it along with all of their worldly pleasures. They've been told by their pastors and others that Jesus paid for their sins, and now they have basically a free ticket to heaven. They will tell you that they already have their salvation and nothing that "they do" can change it.
Today, it's really an uphill battle winning souls to the truth, and convincing christians that they need to Obey God! They will call that works, and say that they don't have to do anything, because it is all in God's hands. They have taken the bible and reintreperted it to allow themselves the ability to remain seduced into living a worldly/sinful lifestyle, and still believe they will recieve salvation.
Express the need to them to follow God's Commandments, and they look at you like you like you are crazy! The devil has certainly been hard at work winning christains over in these times. God continues to send many messages to try to wake folks up - but as the world continues to deteriorate around us - they ignore these signs.
This verse summarizes: Matthew 7:21 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."
GBU
So the Bible is the FINAL authority in the Christian life ( 2 Peter 1:19). I agree with Frankie that you need the Holy Spirit to discern the things of God in His word. The Bible clearly states that in 1 Peter 1:11-12. The Bible also says that we need a preacher, because how can we hear without one ( Romans 10:14). So the Bible was given by the Holy Spirit/God and needs to be discerned through that, because the Bible is of no private interpretation ( 2 Peter 1:20-21). God had a specific meaning for each word and only He can tell us what that is.
I also believe what the Bible says in Acts 2:17 that in the last days people will prophesy, have dreams, and visions. If the Bible says it, then it's true. That being said, since the Bible is the final authority, if anything they say happened in the prophesy, dream, or vision that goes against the Bible, then it's a false dream.
Here's how to discern if they are truly a "prophet" in the sense of them prophesying, dreaming, and having visions:
1. Does it follow scripture ( 2 Peter 3:16)
2. Look at their fruits ( Matthew 7:15-20)
3. It doesn't breed confusion ( 1 Corinthians 14:29-33)
4. It is of the Holy Ghost/Jesus ( 1 Corinthians 12:1-3, John 16:13-15)
I hope this was a help to you and there is definitely more studying that can go into this, but that's about the summary of this.
I agree! Daniel and many prophets and Apostles were a instrument for the Lord.
They gave God glory, God worked mightily through them.
Israel was and still is an Instrument for the Lord, and their tune is not done playing!
It's going to come a time when the world will see the glory of God through them again instead of despising them. Jeremiah 16:14-15.
Much of the church today is antisemitic because lack of knowledge of the word of God.
Some say the teaching of the Talmud is the primary writings for all of Israel since the Babylonian and it teaches the Israelites to murder kill and hate other people but I don't hold that view and the Bible doesn't teach it.
They also had the writings of Moses as seen in Nehemiah 8:3-18.
The Jews was told to be separated from the world and the world hated them as well as today, including many false Christians.
When Israel left Babylon they had the same writtings that clearly tells them in Leviticus 19:33-34 not to oppress the stranger.
They all didn't do that, But we don't focus on the ethnic group, we focus on the remnant.
Israel history wasn't perfect and neither was the Church!
Today we are not perfect!
Our nation is not perfect! I've seen these same people that criticize Israel but yet by their own mouth, Justify slavery in our Country!
They must consider Matthew 7:1-2."Judge not, that ye be not judged.
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
If we read Ezekiel 16:1-63
We will see the sin of Israel. They married/Joined themselves to the Spirit of the World as we have done as well.
So the holocaust and there history of turmoil was them departing the God that Provides.
Daniel gave a great example how to rise in to world powers and not conform to their culture.
They didn't rub off on him,
He rubbed off on them!
Read Daniel 4:1-37.
God bless.
Always enjoy your input, and glad to hear that you are on board with loving Jesus and not the world.I think today Christians (including me) have major difficulty divorcing ourselves from all of the fleshy worldly things. I believe this is a major roadblock that we place in front of true and real relationship with God.
Jesus tells us Matthew 6:25-34 If we are preoccupied with providing for ourselves, including and specifically more than we need, are we depending on ourselves more than we are on Him?
Wanting newer bigger homes, and more luxury, cars, clothes, jewelry, vacations, fancy meals/restaurants, opera, hollywood entertainment, sports, I could go on..All of the time spent pursuing these things take away from the time we can be spending with God..
I don't believe Gods Holy Spirit guides us, or approves us, to be pursuing all of the fleshy worldly things.serious problem here.who is keeping us involved with this world?
I really am starting to see the validity of this verse. Matthew 7:14 "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
I don't think we as Christians really take this verse to heart! If we think we can continue to live worldly lives and make it to heaven.I think we are fooling ourselves, and it's not just us fooling ourselves, it is the devil, and Matthew 7:15
God Bless
23Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
24But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men,
25And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.
This verse is a sobering reminder that "many are called; few are chosen". ( Matt. 22:14). We are reminded of the verse in Matthew 7:22 when people would claim they did many miracles in His name; but that He never knew them. Verse 24 needs further consideration. For the Father and Son to dwell within us ( John 14:23) we need a heart change; as it were. Without good soil; as it were there can't be fruit production ( Luke 8:15).
For Jesus to "commit himself" to someone means that He deems us acceptable "in the Beloved" ( Ephesians 1:6). Let that sink in; all of our "declarations" of faith; blessings; etc. are meaningless unless He has initiated that covenant; or bond with our souls. Therefore we see many examples of Jesus "weeding out" the crowds and individuals who claimed that they wished to follow Him as a Disciple. Counting the cost is a painful exercise; following Christ means an all or nothing proposition; something not palatable for many; in fact most who would claim to believe. As I have stated in previous posts; Jesus seemed to a large extent to provide food and healings to any who would request it. Yet He would challenge them for the reasons which He could see in their hearts for following Him (such as getting their fill of bread). Except for the few that would clearly come to worship Him and/or give God the glory we cannot be certain who is healed and actually came to true faith ( John 5:14 is a good example of this). Even His own brothers for a time didn't believe in Him ( John 7:5). Further exploration indicates that God must reveal Jesus to a person ( Matt. 16:17). May He enlighten our minds today as we ponder His Word.
(Part 2)
Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:3-5 about the splinter and the beam.
This was carpenters terms from out of His father Joseph's carpenter shop. Now if you can imagine this, that if you take a toothpick and you held it up to your eye, it looks like a beam. But if you hold it up to someone else's eye, it looks like a splinter. But you see, they are both the same.
So Jesus said to them (Jewish Leaders) in Verses 3 to 5, why do you behold the splinter in your brother's eye when you have a beam in your own?
How are you going to say to your brother let me pull out the splinter in your eye, and you have a beam that is in your own? You hypocrite, first cast out the beam from your own, and then shall you see clearly to cast out the splinter out of your brother's eye.
Many of us have heard that before, but please take notice in Verse 5 that it's only (after) the beam is removed from your eye that you are able to go to your brother about the removal of the splinter in his own.
Jesus is saying this, and it is all a reference to the law and salvation. So, here is a Jew under the law, going out and judging other people according to the law, and he is not even saved!
In 1 Corinthians Chapter 2, Paul says that the spiritual man judges all things. Why? Because he has the Spirit of Christ.
In 1 Corinthians Chapter 6, Paul talked about Christians taking other Christians to court. He says don't you have any wise men amongst you that can judge these things?
We are supposed to be judging. Judgment is supposed to begin at the house of God, and we have a responsibility.
I hope this helps some? Blessings to you in Christ Jesus!
I have actually had someone use Matthew 7:1 on me before. They said "don't judge me. The Bible says judge not lest ye be judged."
If there's one verse most nonbelievers know, it's this one. How do we respond to that? I can share with you what my response was. I responded by saying, "yes, the Bible does say judge not lest ye be judged," but it also says ye shall know them by their fruit. So, I'm not judging you brother, but I am a fruit inspector.
Here is my understanding of Matthew 7:1-5 which gives us the correct understanding of judgment. And Verse 1 is also the principle for the whole chapter. Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Well, how many times has someone told you that, or you have told other people, "don't judge me, I'm not under the law, I am under grace?"
For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged: and with what measure you mete out, it will be measured back to you again.
This is the same thing that Paul said in Romans Chapter 2 Verse 1. Paul says, you are inexcusable oh man, whoever is judging another because you condemn yourself; for you that judges another person, you do the same things.
That is an insight to judging. You see, I judge other people for committing my sins. And I am very merciful to people who commit sins that are not mine.
That is what it is saying. I see you committing my sins, and I am harsh on you. But somebody can come along who is a serial bank robber and I might say "Oh lets have mercy on him." Let's witness to him. But if they commit my sins, they are in big trouble!
If you stop and think about that for a moment, the next time you see someone committing an act of sin and what your reaction is to what this person is doing, it all make sense as to what this is saying.
I am running out of space but would like to share my understanding of Verses 3-5 with you.
I will send a (Part 2).
Faith in the Lord is the difference between between Jeremiah 2:21-22. in which a fruitless degenerate plant exhibited and a tree planted by the waters and a people baring fruit.
This should remind us of Matthew 7:15-23.
We often use these verses and apply them to individuals which may apply but when careful studying these scriptures I believe it's speaking of A WAY, AND THOSE "OUTSIDE" THE STRAIGHT GATE.
In other words those who travel the wide gate. This is what Israel as a nation did and what is being taught today in a works based salvation in today's congregation.
The context is in the previous verses
7:13-14. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Matthew 7:15-23.
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
I don't believe a tree is speaking of individuals but rather a people's movement.
One group is spirit led the other group is not.
See Matthew 13:31-32.
God bless.
We have already been warned about you.
Acts 20:28-30
Matthew 7:15-16
The sheep you are looking for - do not hear your voice.
Matthew 10:27-30
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.
When comparing the two I believe the difference is in fruit barring.
This is something that can only be done by being connected to the genuine vine. John 15:1-5.
We can do nothing without Christ.
These verses and many others is tied to this "working of the Holyspirit."
Romans 6:5-10.
Romans 8:11.
This is the life giving spirit that we get once we truly believe.
This is baptism!
This is Christ in us, and we in him.
Jesus said that those who abide in Him will bear much fruit. That fruit is more than ministry results, it is also the evidence of a life lived in God.
IF WE'RE CONNECTED TO THE VINE WE WILL BARE FRUIT!
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5:22-23
This is what the natural man can not do and what the OLD COVENANT couldn't produce.
Galatians 5:17-18 says; "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
BUT IF YE BE LED OF THE SPIRIT, YE ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW"
Also see.
Matthew 7:18.
Salvation is inward. It's a new heart that CAUSES you to produce fruit.
It's not forced by command.
Christ put his life giving Holyspirit IN you, and that "Holyspirit in you" won't turn you from him.
It would be turning him from himself.
Again; This is Christ in you, and we in him.
Ephesians 4:30 is something the law and the Old covenant couldn't do. See; " Galatians 5:17-18"
Now what you do, it is he that works in you! Philippians 2:13.
By fruit we shall know them and by it, we can examine ourselves also.
We can use Galatians 5:19-26 as a guide.
Ephesians 4:1-16 is what every Christian should keep by his side.
God bless.
Seek, and ye shall find ( Matthew 7:7)
John 14:15
Grace saves, not works. Good works are the fruit of a genuine follower of Christ. Without works or fruit one might question that person's walk. And without obedience to Christ is that person a real Christ follower? Some fall into this category: Matthew 7:21
But two verses later in Titus 3:7 it says we "should be made heirs" and "hope of eternal life". That now returns to an outcome waiting to be determined. Hope of eternal life is a future thing hoped for usually in the future, not present or past, and should be made heirs is also looking to the future.
"That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:7 KJV
One possible explanation to reconcile this with the other verses like 1 Peter 1:13, 1 Peter 1:51, Phil 2:12, 2 Timothy 1:12 is that the statement of Jesus saving us is true and universally available for all of humanity. However on an individual level it still seems it depends on someone's choices- whether someone chooses to follow Jesus or not. The Bible already says most won't choose this and most will go to hell Matthew 7:13. So when it says "he saved us" combined with that context, maybe that is a general statement that Jesus died to save all of us, but we still must choose to follow Him and accept that hope of eternal life. This is currently what these verses are seeming like.
So, the list now has 3 verses supporting the already saved idea compared to those about a future salvation. Does anyone have more?
"If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:15 KJV
Jesus said this. Jesus emphasized obedience and keeping His commandments. Those who are so opposed to obeying Jesus should probably be afraid of the upcoming judgment, because someone who doesn't obey Jesus might not be a Jesus follower.
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 7:21 KJV
How can anyone believe the Bible, read this Bible verse and then believe obeying God is bad?
"But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him." Luke 12:5 KJV
Confrontation of sin
Verses on repentance are rife in the scriptures. Taking a proactive approach after a confession of faith toward living a life of holiness separates the real from the pretenders; whether in our own lives or confronting the sin of others.
Such a matter as suing one another ( 1 Corinthians 6) illustrates how making proper judgments within the Body of Christ is to occur; so that Matthew 7:1 is taken into proper context. Naturally; we are to straighten out our walk to avoid hypocrisy and to see clearly; as Jesus indicated to take the speck out of a brother's eye. Psalm 139:24 indicates a prayer to see any "offensive way" in us. As my earlier post indicates; we can seek to conform our outer behaviors so that we don't cuss; drink; smoke or dance for example but we can still foster pride or greed or something else. This is the methodology which fails when trying to reform people without the Lord transforming the heart; merely substituting one sin for another. Or; as some have said we need a new "wanter". None of these actions to curtail behaviors will make us love God any more without Him ruling and reigning in our lives.
This desire not to shake the apple cart as it were stops many from confronting sins of others; which is a necessary tool to bring forth repentance when evangelizing as well as confronting things within the church. The sin NATURE; of course is the focus which needs to be stressed on the streets but we also see individuals with sinful lifestyles that must be repented of. That principle is for nonbelievers and those who confess Christ as well in light of 1 John 3:8-10. 1 Timothy 5:20 shows how indeed these confrontations are necessary in the church; and a responsibility of those in authority; such as Timothy was after Paul instructed him and trained him. 1 Timothy 5:24 shows how certain sins are more obvious than others; but all will be judged.
( Galatians 5:17; 1 Cor. 6:9-10)
Recently a book on the subject (apparently there were several) was studied in small group; in this case one by Randy Alcorn. There were some questions on one of his video shorts and not total agreement; nonetheless other segments and much written in the book seem scripturally solid.
What we see in scripture shows how saints of God will; at least after the Tribulation and what I believe eschatologically to be the Millennium (and certainly for eternity afterwards) be ruling and reigning on earth. The difference will be in the New Jerusalem being above earth rather than on earth as happens in Revelation 21. I will note that it is the New Jerusalem; not the entire planet or place where heaven is that comes to earth. It would seem that would remain somewhere else. Ezekiel 1:22 seem to suggest an expanse of ice; M.J. Agee seems to think the location is identifiable. For the sake of avoiding unnecessary controversy I will keep the basic premise that it is somewhere beyond our physical universe.
The key; again is scripture; Jesus stated that "you know where I am going." ( John 14:4-6). The issue where was that they had seen God in Christ who was a member of the Trinity and always did the Father's will. How to get there of course is through the narrow gate which all but the son of Perdition could enter of the 12 Disciples ( Matthew 7:13-14). This is perhaps the biggest point that needs to be hammered home. Other than believing in a literal heaven as being a priority we also need to realize that only by His righteousness can we pass from death to life and most will take the wide road to destruction. That necessitates elimination of any universalist sentiments. I have stated before the concept of 2 Corinthians 7:10 where godly sorrow brings repentance rather than the type Judas Iscariot had as to sadness on the consequences of his actions. Peter showed true repentance because he knew He had betrayed the Son of God who he truly loved.
Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
If one is not barring fruit and you are not sure by his doctrine he's probably a worker of the flesh.
You will notice the absence of "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance in him.
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT AND WORKS OF THE FLESH.
See; Galatians 5:19-21.
Here's a few of the Characteristics I picked out of the list that has similar properties of one lacking the Spirit.
* Variance = contention debate strife variance.
* Strife = Contentious.
* Sedition = division sedition, "Perhaps one who brings an uproar with the intent to divide against.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST HERESIES.
( Probably is the cause of the previous three mentioned.)
*Heresies = properly a choice that is (specifically) a party or (abstractly) disunion . (heresy is the Greek word itself.) the formal denial or doubt of a core doctrine of the Christian faith as defined by one or more of the Christian churches.
If we bring such accusation as this on someone do we thrive with such a person?
Here's a few principle scriptures.
Titus 3:9-11.
2 Peter 1:10.
Galatians 1:8-9.
God bless.
again, thanks for your reply and no it's there's no reason for me to get upset over this misunderstanding.
I haven't put much time towards the site of recent and haven't followed the original thread.
Let's be clear, I use the KJV.
However to answer a few of your questions,
I would say any false literature or added literature to intentionally change the word of God in a way to loose the virtue intended yes that is what one may call leaven and yes perhaps demonic.
However false or demonic "doctrine" comes from the interpreter or teacher from any Bible, as well as the king James.
Doctrine is what you build out of the scripture whether it's faulty scripture or not. "A belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a Church, political party, or other group."
What I was saying in regards to Brother Jesse's post was that I wouldn't go to the extreme of denying anyone's access to a Church unless they possessed a King James Bible.
I believe God planned well ahead of Satan's traps and schemes. He gave us the Holyspirit to teach us and spread his message to us abroad.
Isaiah 28:9-10 "Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; HERE A LITTLE, AND THERE A LITTLE:
There are groups out there that change the bible they use completely to fit their Doctrine. "New World Translation" is one.
God's word is perfect.
Translations imperfect.
A fruitless false teacher is worst, no matter what Bible he has.
Because the Doctrine he adhere to haven't brought fruit in his life.
You shall know them by their fruits. Matthew 7:15-16.
It doesn't say you shall know them by their Bible.
There are tares amongst us and their Bible is just like ours! They attempt to lure one away from the truth which is Christ.
GBU.
it is Jehovah's ( psalm 83:18) will for believers to understand and bear fruit.
2Timothy 3:15-17; Matthew 7:7,8; Mark 4:20; John 17:3
is a key example. Exodus 4:4-9
Despite the evidence, refused to
believe. Exodus 9:27-30; Exodus 9:33-35
Denying Jesus was blaspheming against
the spirit. John 1:14-18; Matthew 5:17,18; Matthew 7:28,29
and refusing his father in heaven who sent
Jesus also. Matthew 3:16,17; John 3:14-18
The passage you're enquiring, begins & includes Matthew 7:15-20. When you read it as a specific section, you will see who Jesus was referring to. It was to the false prophets. He said that you will easily recognize them by their fruits (the words they spoke & the lives they lived, all the while looking like docile humble sheep). Then Jesus explains this further by considering the fruit-producing tree. The tree that is corrupt (whether it has some disease in it, or malnourished) is bound to produce ugly unhealthy fruit, if at all. But the tree that is well-formed, well-fertilized, & well-cared for, can only produce good fruit. Likewise, these false prophets/teachers were corrupt trees producing inedible disgusting fruit, ready only for burning. So, the disciples were warned to carefully observe such men who come proclaiming God's Word - their words & life will reveal that they were imposters & to be shunned.
And the same could be said about people who claim to belong to Christ (Christians) but produce bad fruit in their lives. The Lord knows who belong to Him, but we need to also be wise to discern (from understanding God's Word), who are false prophets/teachers. All such the Lord has no knowledge of - they will suffer just as those who reject God's Love in Christ His Son. But John, I know from what you write, that you really love the Lord & trusting Him each day for your needs. So from your life, however difficult it may be, you will produce fruit & I'm sure it would be the 'good fruit' - fruit that expresses real love & faith, care & concern for someone else in difficulties, even getting beside another lonely person & sharing something of God's concern & love for them. These are all good fruit, which a corrupt tree cannot produce. Blessings.
The second thing after prayer for those walking in the Spirit is some sort of action whenever we are able. 1 John 3:17 echoes what is already written in Proverbs 14:31 about not neglecting a brother in need (a sin of omission). Sadly; we live in a fallen world and what is politically correct in immediately stepping out to help financially may end up getting us rended such as indicated in Matthew 7:6.
Often today no one wants to get into something messy. There are things such as domestic abuse where wisdom in contacting the authorities and those who are specialized in care of certain situations rather than stepping in ourselves.
I cannot overemphasize from the way I see it warning people of the seriousness of sin; as it affects not just them but others within their family and the entire congregation much of the time as well. We cannot assume if someone has been a believer for many years that they can't be headed for a fall; and these days more seem to go toward total apostasy. Exhortation needs to warn people that in our own strength we will be beaten down; in our own understanding we can and will be decieved without the Spirit guiding us as well as TRUSTING God even when it seems things around us contradict that as being a logical approach.
Just as we need to be careful who prays for us; we also need to be cautious who we take advice from. The enemy was granted permission to speak lies through the prophets ( 1 Kings 22:21-23) and many around us today will be used by the enemy if we are not careful. Such things as divorce and subsequent remarriage are high on that list in my assessment. There is always someone out there who will tell us to do what we want and tell us what we want to hear.
It is always a small remnant who live out what they believe by example; and there are no short cuts to obedience due to our love for Christ. ( John 14:15). Obedience is better than sacrifice as well ( 1 Sam. 15:22).