There is a constant theme that runs through the entire New Testament and that is one of edification and love. This theme is the same theme that should guide us in our personal contacts with business prospects and distributors in this business. Paul the Apostle was probably the greatest relational marketing person of all times traveling from city to city building a network of churches and leading thousands to the Lord, which ultimately resulted in an estimated 2.1 billion Christians in the world today. He was a well-educated man, a Pharisee of Pharisees, and had been a lead persecutor and condemner of Christians before meeting the Lord on the road to Damascus. His heart was changed that day but I think he still struggled, as we all do, with that old condemning nature. He mentioned on several occasions in First and Second Corinthians that he had the liberty and freedom to say and do anything he wanted to but some things did not edify and some things were not profitable. He stated on several occasions that he had been given this power and these gifts for edification and not for destruction (II Cor. 13:10). Did you hear that? Paul believed that his relational marketing skill and anointing was a gift from God and he described it as a two-edged sword that could cut for good (to edify and build up) or cut for bad (to destroy and tear down). We all need to remember that caution as we go forth and advance in this business.
The only thing described in the Bible as a sure thing is “love”. The Bible says love covers (hides) a multitude of sin and it will never fail. Love is long suffering, envieth not, vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, does not behave unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, rejoices not in iniquity, rejoices in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, and endureth all things. You and I are in the love and hope business. In the days that we live in people need love and hope. They need to be encouraged and built up and we have been given the perfect business vehicle to do just that.
First Corinthians 13 is known as the “love” chapter in the Bible where Paul was cautioning the very spiritual Corinthians, and probably reminding himself also, that the most important ingredient in being a successful networker for the Kingdom is love. If you do not have love you are described by the scriptures as a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If you speak with the tongues of angels, have the gift of prophecy, understand all mysteries, have all knowledge, have faith that can remove mountains, give all your possessions to the poor, and give your body to be burned, and do not have love, it will profit you nothing. I would say that is a pretty straightforward and strong mandate for love.
There is an often-quoted scripture in Romans 8:1 that says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit“. We often read the scriptures very selfishly and by doing so often miss the deeper and more expansive meaning of God’s Word. Yes, this scripture is a very important scripture that can help believers discern between the voice of the enemy and the voice of God. Satan is the accuser of the brethren and it is his job to remind and condemn you of every rotten thing you have ever done but it is your job to recognize that God does not do that. He loves you (God is love) and He will always speak to you in a loving and encouraging way, even if it is for correction.
But what if we were to read Romans 8:1 in an unselfish way and in a way that is speaking about our actions towards others versus the actions of others toward us? Therefore there is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. There is no condemnation coming out of our mouths towards others, but rather love and edification. I personally think that is the true Spirit we are to exhibit in the days that we live in. Paul said in 1 Cor. 14:3 that “..he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort“.
We all have a tendency to forget sometimes how we personally entered the Kingdom. We entered through a gate of love. The love of God first loved us when we were yet unlovely and gave His only begotten Son to die for us. Most of us also entered in with the help and guidance of a relative, friend, or acquaintance that prayed for us and loved us into the Kingdom when we were not very lovable.
John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved“.
Many of you reading this eblast are leaders in the marketplace. You are here for such a time as this. Love, edify, and speak hope to the people that God gives you!! Remember, love never fails!
We hope this Nugget has been a blessing to you,
Rev. Ed & Cheryl Henderson
New Life Network, Inc.
www.newlifenetwork-org-staging.smwnm894-liquidwebsites.com
