Manifestation part 2
I don't necessarily like to start a Rant with a defintion, but I also think it's important to know what we're talking about. So stick with me. Dictionary.com defines "Manifestation" as, "Outward or perceptible indication; materialization." Which kind of goes right along with the Spiritual-ism, "It's an out working of the in working Spirit." What's inside coming outward so we (ourselves and those around us) can see it. The materialization of something. The truth (that always has been, and always will be true) becoming true... for you. Apprehending what we've been apprehended of. Which is what the good fight of faith is all about; laying hold on eternal life. Eternal life is the gift of God. And we can't earn it, but we've already been given it. So we lay hold of the gift we've been given by receiving it (and releasing it). By knowing and believing that we've been given the gift. And when you know and believe you've been given the gift, you stop trying to earn it. Which is good, because you can't earn a gift. So if you're trying to earn something you can't earn--something you already have--all you're really doing is robbing yourself from enjoying the gift you've been given. That's what I believe Jesus was talking about when He spoke of anyone trying to enter the sheepfold any other way but the Door as a thief and a robber. We rob ourselves! And each other. Because when we receive the gift (BY releasing it) we share it with each other. We bear the fruit that the vine produced. We carry what we've got to those that need it. And what we've got... is love. And those that need it... is everybody. We have love deep down inside. In our hearts. What we need is a manfestation of that love. An outward or perceptible indication of love. See, the Word (Jesus, love) didn't just become flesh. He became flesh... and dwelt among us. And then, through the cross, He took up abode IN us. He dwells WITHIN us. That's the difference between "love" as an idea, and "charity," which is love in action. We have all these lofty ideas but if nothing ever comes of it then who cares? Another way to say that is, "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" (James 2:20). Not works of the flesh. But works OF faith. And guess what else: "For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love" (Galatians 5:6). Works of faith are works of love. Because faith works by love. Jesus said, "Have faith in God." And God is love. So He was saying, "Have faith in love." Walking by faith is walking by love. Giving what you've got is the only way it will materialize, or manifest. Knowing the truth sets you free and makes you free. Free FROM the bondage of sin and death... and free TO live. To live is to love, and to love is to live. When you know the truth--that your heavenly Father loves you--that's when you can love Him back, by loving other. That's when love stops being just what you want, or what you try to do... and it becomes who you are. It's our new nature. Not the beast nature. But the love nature! And when we fill ourselves to overflowing with what we've been filled with... that's when it gets all over everybody we come into contact with. That's when the inside comes out. The hidden man of the heart stop hiding. Love manifests in us, and through us, and as us!