We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment:

1 Corinthians 2:12-15

We must be clear.  We are not to judge those outside of the church, but we are called to judge those inside it (1 Corinthians 5:12).  Those outside are sinners, and we expect them to act like sinners.  If they sin, it is their nature to sin, and we do not do well if we point fingers at the unregenerate, just as we do well not to fit into them, for there is no fellowship between light and dark.  Likewise, when we enter into soulish, or carnal, judgement against a brother, failing to discern the Lord’s body, we do sin.  Jesus said, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” (John 5:30).  He did not use His own mind or understanding to judge, but He judged according to the Spirit, and was right when He prophesied judgement on the Pharisees, on Jerusalem, and on the cities that would not hear His Gospel.

Yet, Paul made it clear that the man of the flesh cannot receive the things of God, for they are spiritually discerned.  Not will not, cannot.  Jesus said it this way, that those who are not born again cannot see nor enter the Kingdom of Heaven (John 3:3-5).

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Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

James 1:27

Paul wrote that the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love (Galatians 5:6).  True religion is a good thing, as opposed to the thing commonly called the “religious spirit”, aka, the demonic force of blindness, deafness, and mere rules.  True religion expresses faith through an attitude of love.  The word “expresses” here means it does something.  As James wrote elsewhere, faith without works is dead (James 2:26).  Religion does something, it is both forward and reserved, but always after some goal.

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One word from God’s lips is worth more than a thousand others.

The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul.  The testimony of the Lord is sure, enlightening the eyes.

The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.  The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever.  The ordinances of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold, yea than much fine gold.  Sweeter also than honey in the honey-comb.

Moreover by them is your servant warned.  In keeping them, there is great reward.

Psalm 19:7-11

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His mouth is sweetness itself;

Song 5:16 (portion)

Oh, how I love His Word.  His mouth is sweetness itself.  There is nothing finer, nothing more pleasant, nothing more desirable, than His mouth.  Taste and see that He is good.

If ever there was a question about God’s greatness, it is settled in this.  You may talk about love, but He is it.  You may talk about justice, but He is it.  You may talk about joy, but He is the only source.  You may talk about peace, but He is its prince.  You may talk about patience, but who is more than He?  You may talk about kindness, but show me another father willing to send all his prophets, and then, at the last, His son.  You may talk about anything that it is to be human, and, you may see someone demonstrate some portion of it, or you may see idealized someone who is famed for it, but Jesus is it all.

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