Faith no 37

Perfect Faith by Perfect Love

September, 27, 2017

Brian Kocourek, Pastor

Romans 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. (That means without hypocrisy, not phony, not put on). Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

I really like the way the NIV translates this scripture. NIV Romans 12:19-11 Love must be Sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  Be devoted to one anotherin brotherly Love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking is zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Now, in verse 10 the Apostle Paul said, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly Love. Honor one another above yourselves."

Most of us do not associate Love with Faith which is Revelation. And that is because of what everyone else teaches what Love is or what perfect Love is, is more of a feeling, or an emotion. When people speak on the subject of Divine Love, they do not understand what the Sincere Love of God is all about. People mix up Love with kindness and other fruits of the Spirit, but Love has to do with commitment more than anything else.

Now, in examining verse 9 we find the Apostle Paul tell us, NIV Romans 12:19-11  "Love must be Sincere."  Now, the word sincere does not mean that we should put on an act, and become sweet and engaging, or beguiling, but the word sincere means genuine, and straightforward.

Therefore, He is telling us that our Love must be genuine, and straightforward. In his next few words as Paul goes on to say,  "Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." And then "Be devoted to one another in brotherly Love". And "Honor one another above yourselves."

He says, Love must be Sincere. Not, should be, but must be. Love MUST BE sincere. And then he tells us what sincere Love is. He says it Hates evil, and clings to or holds onto like glue to those things which are good.

So the idea that Love is mushy, and Doty, extremely tolerant and full of emotional softness is not according to what The Apostle Paul taught at all.

Everyone wants to talk about a love that is tolerant. It is politically correct to be into tolerance these days except when it means a tolerance for Truth, and then they want nothing to do with it. It is politically correct these days to be tolerant of everything except True Christianity. That seems to be the only thing that is politically ok to bash, and that is because true Christianity is "True Love", because it is based on God’s Love, for God is Love.

And for the world to speak of love as being tolerant is so very far from the Truth. Because tolerance is ok with what God hates? If God is Love then our Love should be a reflection of God. And if our Love is a reflection of God who is Love, then  perfect Love is a Perfect God. And If we do not even understand Who God is, then how could we ever understand Love.

For God is the Word, and He is the Perfect Word.

I Corinthians 13:8 ¶  Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

Hebrews Chapter 5 and 6 57-0908M   188-130   "But when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part will be done away with." See, that's perfect. What is perfect? Love. What is love? God."

Now, brother Branham taught us that, that what is perfect is the Word. 

Questions and Answers 64-0823E 1005- I Corinthians 13 says this: "When that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away with." So all these little things of jumping up-and-down like a kid, trying to talk in tongues, and all these other things, when that which is perfect... And we do have today, by God's help, the perfect interpretation of the Word with Divine vindication. Then that which is in part is done away with. "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child; but when I become a man, I put away childish things." Amen. I go to preaching and then don't get to these things.

And the world wants nothing to do with this Love we are talking about this morning, because they want nothing to do with God, and He is Love, and He is the word.

Jesus tells us the real reason why the world so hates you in John 15:17  "These things I command you, that ye love one another." 

First of all we see Jesus tell us that we should love one another, not should, but He says "these Things I command you", So we are dealing with a command, and not just a nice thought.. 

But notice, immediately he lets us know the world will hate us. And He lets us know that the reason it will hate us is that it hated him first. 

18 ¶  If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

He tells us the world hates you because you are the chosen of the Lord.

I John 3:13 "Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. 14 ¶  We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." 

In other words he is telling us that to hate is the easy way out. It seems that the world so hates what is good and since there is so little that is good, the world is having a hay-day in hating. You can’t but read the papers, and listen to the radio and hear some add for a movie but what deals with someone hating somebody. The world is filled with hate and violence, and it is a strange and peculiar thing for brethren to be loving one another with Godly Love.

John continues to say, "He that loves not his brother abides in death. 15 Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world's good, and sees his brother have need, and shuts up his bowels of compassion from him, how could the love of God be dwelling in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." 

So love with the tongue only, or in words only, is no love at all. Words not backed up with action are cheap and not love at all. I am not saying we shouldn't tell people we love them, but words are cheap that are not backed up with action. And Action without words speak more than words do. And if your actions do not back up your words, then your words mean absolutely nothing.

So he says Love in deeds and Truth, and that is what Love is based upon.

So we see that a hatred for the brethren shows where its source came from, and that is in Cain. And why did Cain hate Abel? Because God accepted Abel’s Sacrifice and not his own. And what is a sacrifice but their revelation of God’s Word given back to God. The hatred that we see so abounding in the world today was prophesied to come by Jesus Christ Himself.   The disciples asked Jesus what would be the signs of the end of the world, and He answered that there would be two major signs. The first would be deception on the rise, you know, fake news. And the other sign would be hatred between peoples. These would be the chief signs. 

Matthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4 ¶  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; (I am anointed) and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. 10 And then shall many be offended, (many shall be enticed into sin, and apostacy) and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.  13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

Notice he tells us, He that shall ENDURE to the end, are the ones that shall be saved.

Luke 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. 23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

Luke 6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. 27 ¶  But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. 30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. 31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. 32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and [to] the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. 37 ¶  Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

But now, let’s look at this Love, in fact this perfect Love, for brother Branham said, that you will never enter into THAT place without perfect Love.

Rejected King  60-0515M  23-6  Oh, my precious friend, my beloved, my darlings of the Gospel, my begotten children unto God, listen to me, your pastor. You... I wish there was some way I could explain it to you. There's no words. I couldn't find it. It's not found anywhere. But just beyond this last breath is the most glorious thing that you ever... There is no way to explain it. There's no way; I just can't do it. But whatever you do, friends, lay aside everything else till you get perfect love. Get to a spot that you can love everybody, every enemy, everything else. That one visit there to me has made me a different man. I can never, never, never be the same Brother Branham that I was.

Adoption  60-0522E   104    "THUS SAITH THE LORD, it'll take perfect love to put you in that place, for that's all there was there. No matter how many, how much religious demonstrations, how many good deeds you done, or whatever you done, that won't count nothing on that day. It'll take perfect love. So whatever you do, you lay aside everything else, until you are just so filled with the love of God, till you can love those who hate you. I'm just, as I said this morning, I was made... My whole makeup is grace. A lot of people say, "Now, you scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours. Yeah, you do something for me, and I'll do something for you." That's not grace. Grace is, if your back is itching, I'll scratch it anyhow, whether you scratch mine or not; you slap me on the face, and say, "my back needs itching, needs scratching," I'll scratch it. See? That's it; do something. I don't believe in works; I believe that works is love. Works is--works is the manifestation that grace has taken place. I don't live true to my wife because I believe she'd divorce me if I didn't; I live true to her because I love her.

Rejected King 60-0515M And I heard a voice then that spoke to me that was in the room, said, "This is what you preached was the Holy Ghost. This is perfect love. And nothing can enter here without it." I am more determined than ever in my life that it takes perfect love to enter there. There was no jealousy. There was no tiredness. There was no death. Sickness could never in there. Mortality could never make you old, and the--they could not cry. It was just one joy, "Oh, my precious brother."

You know I'll admit that I never really understood what brother Branham meant by getting this perfect Love because I never really understood what Love is? Therefore this has always bothered me since I heard brother Branham speak of it. I really never understood it, because like everything else I had already had my mind made up as to what Love is.

But what is Love, and in fact what is perfect Love. We know that he taught us the that which is perfect is the perfect interpretation of the Word with Divine Vindication. And we know that the Apostle John taught us that God is Love. So we must never then think of Love in terms of our human way of expression, but we must think of it in terms of God’s definition.

We read in the Gospel of John that men are capable of loving, but notice what they love.

John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

I John 2:9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. 12 ¶ I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.

Now, in order to better understand this we must know what this love is because even God hated Esau but Loved Jacob. Therefore what is the Apostle John trying to tell us here. Well, we find our answer in a couple more chapters in 1 John.

I John 4:17  ¶  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.   18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. 20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

Now, what John is telling us here is that if we truly have perfect Love then we cannot fear because perfect Love casts out all fear. It is fear that causes men to war with one another, and it is uncertainty and fear of the uncertainty that causes people to do things in a self defense kind of thinking. And that is what causes strife and ill treatment toward one another is fear. But perfect love casts all that away.

Personal Experience with God 54-0724  E-43    This loving Him... Oh, we say, "We have faith. We have love." But if we had love, we'd have faith, for that is... "Perfect love casteth out all fear." And when fear is gone, faith is perfect.

The Apostle Paul said "Faith works by Love".

Therefore we must first have love in order to bring forth our faith. 

Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

Questions and Answers   54-0103E  140-  God is love, perfect love; but you don't know what love is. That's why today people don't know what faith is. God is love. He has to be in love; He's sovereign to His Word. And He has to keep His Word. He has to love you. And if He loves you, He's got to protect you.

Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

So Love ground you and roots you in so you are stable through every wind of doctrine that comes your way. Your Love of God and for His word is the foundation that holds you and settled you to God and His Word and God is Love.

Fellowship 56-0212  E-5    Now, we have great things that we can do in the--the realm of faith. Faith works great things for us, and if you brethren here getting your... And you can't have faith till you have love. That's just all there is to it. You just... Perfect love casts out all fear, and As long as you got fear you can't have faith. So you got to have love first. It drives all fear out, and then faith comes in, takes the place of fear. So when you have that you're coming right along.

And what is Faith that comes in? Revelation. Right? Notice then that Love is the motivator of Faith. It is that which precedes Faith or Revelation.

Ephesians 6:23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesian Church Age 60-1205   72 "Ephesus" means, the very name "Ephesus" means "let go, relax, backslidden," called by God, "The backslidden church." God acknowledged first their works, their labor, and their patience. God rebuked their leaving their first love, for backsliding, and for no longer bearing Light. Ephesus was not a deceived church; it failed itself by not continuing in perfect love.  74  Summary of Ephesus' fruits: without love, led to apostasy.

Explaining Healing and Jairus  54-0216   E-48  Electricity will light up, if you'll work according to the law of electricity. Is that right? If you had an artesian well on this side of the hill putting out thousands of gallons of water per minute, and over on that side of the hill, another hill, you've got a crop burning up needing that water. Now, no matter how much you screamed to water, "Go up on the hill and water that crop," it'll never do it. But if you work according to the way of gravitation and run that water over on the hill, it'll water the crop. Is that right? But you've got to work according to the law of gravitation. Well now, if God is here all in this building, right now. Do you believe that? We're all conscious, we're, wished I, you can't get it all in in one night. You see? You're conscious that God is here. Now, the only thing that we can do is work according to the law of God for our healing. Is that right? What is the law of God? His love. "Perfect love cast out all fear." Love and faith is the same thing. See? Love, perfect love casts out all fear which gives faith. You see?

Even the Apostle Paul spoke of Love and Fait as being the same in I Thessalonians 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. Notice it is not just the breastplate of faith which is always quoted, but the breastplate of faith and love.

I Timothy 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

II Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Philemon 1:4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, 5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

From his sermon, Way To Have Fellowship  55-1009  E-18  brother Branham said,  " I'd rather have a church... Listen, just a moment. I would rather have a church that knows nothing about any spiritual gift, and just be so in love with each other and with Christ, I'd rather have that than every spiritual gift operating in the church. Now, that might sound hard in a Pentecostal group, but I would rather have it. Where there is gifts, they'll fail. Where there is gifts, they'll bring confusion. Where there is gifts, they can be questioned. But where there is love, it is perfect. That's right. And if you had perfect love you'd have perfect gifts. That's right. So work first with love. That brings fellowship, and fellowship brings gifts."

And from His sermon Love 58-0313   E-20  brother Branham said, "Now, perfect love casts out fear, and that's the reason people won't take God at His Word for healing. They don't love Him well enough, because you're scared He won't keep His Word. That's the reason that people fear somebody else will say something against them if they receive the Holy Spirit. They're afraid somebody will laugh and make fun. But when love comes in..."

And from his sermon Perfect Faith 63-0825E 132 he said, "And when we were sinners, alienated, without God, in the world, in that muck of mud as I talked about this morning, God come to us. God sought you; you never sought God. "No man can come to Me except the Father draws him first." And God came down in that muck, what you were, and sought you out and brought you out. That ought to create a perfect love. Look what you was, and look what you are. What did that? Somebody that loved you. Can't you have faith in what He's promised you then? Real genuine love will create a confidence in His Word. He caught me when I was nothing. I'm still nothing, but I'm in His hand. See? He caught me. And He loved me when I was unlovable. He loved you when you was unlovable, but He changed you."

And he also said in his sermon Perseverant 62-0729  E- Faith and love is corrective. You see? It corrects.

Perfect Faith 63-0825E Faith and love is relations, because you can't have faith unless you've got love, because your faith is in a God Who is the very essence of love. Faith and love works together.

The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 2:1 ¶ If [there be] therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

And again in I Thessalonians 1:2 the apostle Paul said, ¶ "We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;"

Now, remember the word "OF" is kind of an acronym which means "belonging to" or more specifically, "Out From".

Therefore we should read this verse as "Remembering without ceasing your work out from your faith, and labor out from your love, and patience out from your hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father." And to be more exact, we should read it as thus, "Remembering without ceasing your work produced and characterized by the faith which is yours, and your labor which is shaped and characterized by the Love you embrace, and evidently manifested through the patience you possess due to the hope you have in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the presence of God our Father."

So you see how that your Love shapes and molds the very nature of the expression that comes forth from your being as an evident token that you have been made alive, and your love expresses itself in self sacrificial acts of charity towards others, with no regard to self, and this then brings upon you a peace which is characterized by the patience you show forth which is an evident token of your earnest expectation in our Lord Jesus Christ.

II Thessalonians 1:3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 4 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: 5 ¶ Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer: 6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed ) in that day. 11 ¶ Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of [this] calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of [his] goodness, and the work of faith with power: 12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Notice, "our Faith works by Love."

In other words, Love is the motivating force that brings our faith into expression. It is love that takes hold of your faith and moves it from a dormant passive Faith into a vibrant active faith. Because Faith is not about self, and neither is Eternal Life living for self, but Eternal Life is living for others. It is not works that avails to anything, but works which have been produced because of Love.

That is what the Scriptures teach us. The Apostle Paul said in Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Why?

Because Faith is a Revelation, and Hope is an Earnest Expectation and Love is the outward expression of that Revelation. Paul said "there remaineth, Faith, Hope and Love, and the greatest of these is Love."

Let us pray...