The next work of the flesh in this study of Galatians 5:19-21 is "jealousy." This is another deadly and devastating evil that continues to cause much destruction in the world and in the church. As the Scripture also testifies, it is cruel and unrelenting, and destroys the one who has it just like it does its victims. The first murder was the result of jealousy, when Cain slew his brother Abel. We are told that Jesus was crucified because of jealousy (see Matthew 27:18).

As we have studied, the Lord made it clear that the way we handle our earthly finances will determine the kind of true riches of the kingdom that we can be trusted with. Consider this question: Would you rather have the money to buy enough food to feed five thousand people or the power to multiply a single lunch into enough for them all? If you would rather have the money, then make it your primary pursuit. If you would rather have the authority that the Lord demonstrated when He walked the earth, then pursue Him.

A vision by Bob Jones:In a prophetic experience, Bob was awakened by an attack of swarming flies. Because they kept him from being able to rest, he went to see where they were coming from. He found an open sewer. Christians had been dumping their garbage at the opening and not covering it up, so the flies were able to breed on it. He was told to seal the sewer with a round clay tile, which he was told was the tongue.

         Scripture commands us to “Know those who labor among you” (see I Thessalonians 5:12). I occasionally feel compelled to share more specifically where I stand on a doctrine or other issue because you deserve to know.

Change” has become the word for the hour in American politics. This is truly a time when major changes are needed in our government. We do not want to overlook the greatness of our federal government and all that it has accomplished. Furthermore, our federal government is the head of the greatest country in the world, possibly in world history. Even so, because of the huge amount of laws, regulations, and then counter regulations, it is now like a head that has grown far out of proportion to the rest of the body, and the body can no longer carry its weight.

Count Ludwig von Zinzendorf

(1700–1760)       

            Historians have called Count Zinzendorf “the rich young ruler who said yes.” Born into great wealth and a position of power, he was a member in the court of one of the great thrones of Europe. Even so, he regarded pastors of small congregations as more important because they dealt with eternal issues. For this reason, his highest vision was to be a pastor.

         As we have been considering what it means to be a disciple of the King of kings, we need to look at a couple of other aspects before moving on to cover what it means to be His bondservant.