“Gifts to the Poor” (Esther 9:20-22)

“As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor” (vs22).

Justification by faith produces love to my fellow man. If I’m loved FREELY, then God’s power will make me love. He never JUSTIFIES without sanctifying too, so that FORGIVENESS produces a loving and forgiving people.

Will you change your character? Will you be better as husband or wife? Then look to justification FROM all of your sins, and get the Spirit’s power to honor God, and you’ll love, serve, and honor God in your conduct - “And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God“ (Eph 3:19). He LIBERATES us, so that we can serve Him. He SAVES us, so that we can save others in newness and freeness of life.  If you will be happy, then don’t do in your strength; get God’s strength to His promised children, and you’ll have power to treat people better than you do.

God’s gospel PRODUCES love - “And when they had nothing to pay, he freely forgave them both.  Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?  Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, You have rightly judged” (Luke 7:42-43). Do you have it? It comes by faith, it works by faith, and it is maintained by faith; faith is what keeps our works from becoming bondage and self-righteousness. We DO because we believe what we’ve been given by God.

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“Mordecai Waxed Greater and Greater” (Esther 8:15, 9:3-4)

“And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad… For Mordecai was great in the king’s house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater” (Esther 8:15, 9:4)

The Lord received power and authority by way of the cross, and He is exalted at God’s right hand, prospering in saving strength. For two thousand years, He’s won the war, when it appeared He had lost.  The Reformation, the “new Calvinism” of today, and many like things have proven that when darkest, the Lord was CONTROLLING all things, saving on His terms, and using evil for good.

Esther wouldn’t have asked for help, except the decree had been for destruction, “For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish.  But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king’s damage” (Esther 7:4). She, like you and me, would have accepted misery, but it was WRATH from God that propelled her to do God’s will.  Yet, He didn’t hate us; He brought us home by the tears, and now He has OPEN HEART policy to help us win, giving us all the help we need by the Spirit and the promises. We have the King’s favor; we are on God’s side, and Mordecai proves this by His internal and external witness, which He gives (Jer 32:14). The assurance of the Spirit makes us know ourselves as children, and then He gives the evidence of obedience, as we do God’s will, whereby OTHERS know and we get MORE assurance ourselves. 

The elect shall win because the believers shall conquer, and we’ve been given power to kill our enemies extinct, wiping out women and children - “The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, and that the Jews should be ready against that day to avenge themselves on their enemies” (Esther 8:13).  Spare them nothing; take God’s promises and live; let nothing keep you FROM obeying Christ, which is where your joy is.