Romans  97

Perfect Love Perfect Faith

January 5, 2003

Brian Kocourek

 

ROMANS 12:9 [Let] love be without dissimulation. 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 another in brotherly Love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking is zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

 

Now, the last three weeks we have spoken from verse 10 where the Apostle Paul said, Be devoted to one another in brotherly Love. Honor one another above yourselves.

 

Romans 94 we spoke on Being kindly affectioned one to another, and in Romans 95 we spoke on Honoring One Another, and last week in Romans 96 we spoke on Brotherly Love.

 

This morning we will be speaking on Romans 97 concerning this Sincere Love that the Apostle Paul is speaking of here.

 

Now, in my fleshly mind, there are a thousand other things I would rather be speaking on this morning, than on the subject of love. Because at first thought I did not associate Love with Faith which is Revelation. And that is because of what everyone else teaches as to what Love is or rather, what perfect Love is. When they speak on the subject of Love, it gets so sloppy Agape that it makes me just want to vomit sometimes because they do not understand what this Sincere Love of God is all about. But instead of avoiding this subject, I must be obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and since I have committed to God to take these verses one by one and to not get ahead of His Spirit’s leading, even though my first love is to be teaching doctrine. And that is because Doctrine is so inspirational and Life giving, that it just floods the soul and takes over the mind.

 

But I already know the way the Holy Spirit moves in this ministry in a way that seems to open up so much understanding through simplicity. We might begin to look at something, and before we know it, The Holy spirit shows us things so wonderful and sublime that it is as though we are sojourning through this Book of Romans and coming upon so many wonderful thoughts that God has wanted for us to know, and have been laying in there but because in past we did not approach it the way He wanted it to be seen, we were blinded to so much of what lay there. . And in just being obedient to the Leading of His Holy Spirit, we have discovered so many blessed things even in areas where we haven’t intentionally looked.

 

As we began this series on the book of Romans several years ago, we were given some wonderful insights into the wrath of God, and the seven vials, that opened up to the doctrine of Twins, and then many thoughts came forth from that as we entered into our study of Melchisedec in which se spent two years , and now in returning back to Romans where we have picked up in Chapter 12 we have found mostly pastoral messages dealing with attitude, love, and our entering into an atmosphere conducive for a body change.  And that is where we are at this morning again.

 

Now, in examining verse 9 we found 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 the dog, 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.

 

Now, the last few weeks we have pretty much covered this honoring others above self, and loving one another with brotherly love, but let’s top for a few minutes this morning and examine this sincere love. 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.

 

Now, everybody wants to talk about a love that is tolerant. Everyone is into tolerance these days unless it means a tolerance for Truth, and then they want nothing to do with it. You know 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 them to speak of loving as being tolerant is so far from the Truth. Because how can you love 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      Charity 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 657-0908M   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 let’s 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 here 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 loveth not [his] brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth 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 seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels [of compassion] from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.  

 

So we se 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, and 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, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And 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. And that is our warning I wish to set forth this morning.

 

LUKE 6:22Blessed 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 will 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_  CHICAGO.IL  SATURDAY_  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 Pauls said our Faith worketh 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.

 

Q & A   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,

 

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.

 

Notice that Love is the motivator of Faith. 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;

 

WAY TO HAVE FELLOWSHIP  55-1009  E-18    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.

 

LOVE 58-0313   E-20   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...

 

PERFECT FAITH 63-0825E   132    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.

 

PERSEVERANT_  VICTORIA.BC  SUNDAY_  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.