Tag Archives: Saint Peter

Non-Carnal Love Series # 38

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Manifestation of “Fig Tree Syndrome” is discernible in anyone with an attitude of let people see me doing while the action amounts to nothing. When men of substance are gathered together you find such empty persons positioning themselves to be photographed along with them. Such people then turn round to claim closeness to the powers-that-be. They use the circumstance to massage their ego or use such to extort money from those who needed their help Matthew 16: 16-20. Peter by divine prompting recognized Jesus as the Christ. He gained eternal prize  unlike any one who just spoke for speaking sake.

While Ahimaz son of Zadok did not worth being sent to deliver the crucial message, Cushite qualified to run the errand and delivered the it with wisdom and integrity that really matched the King’s intellect,      II Samuel 18: 31-33. In John 13: 21-30 Jesus by divine intelligence discerned the role Judas was going to play in Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion in the hands of the High Priest and the Jewish leaders. Judas apparently qualified to be the financial controller for Jesus and His disciples (Good News Inc.). He betrayed the Executive Chairman of the Corporation – A fig tree syndrome – and failed woefully in the ministry.

A believer needs to test and sift array of friends with prayers before choosing those to trust whole-heartedly and thereby avoid deep relationship with those that chase shadow instead of substance.

Non-Carnal Love Series # 31

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Non-canal loveAll forms of love that fail to align with genuine love of God without consideration for personal gain is non-divine. If one works against evil thoughts, words and actions, it is a positive source of personal development of love for service to God, others and self. Fear, obedience and compliance to God’s instruction differentiated Ananias of Damascus Acts 9: 1-20 from the other Ananias, husband of Sapphira.They were both disciples with Peter. In order to sustain the growing needs of rising number of disciples, they all voluntarily and faithfully agreed to sell their assets (properties including land) and bring the full proceeds for group maintenance.

In apparent show of faithfulness to the cause of the disciples, Ananias and Sapphira sold their land and brought only a portion of the proceeds. They thought they were smarter than others. They showed their lack of knowledge of the God they were serving. As God is Almighty, ever-present and all-knowing, He revealed the couple’s deception to Peter. No one ever succeeds in making mockery of God. The couple’s “Day of the Lord ” (judgement) came upon them instantly. They died as Peter confronted them with their deception, even separately. Acts 5: 1-11 This is a lesson to all, especially born-again Christians in view of Revelation 3: 22.