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David Wilkerson
David Wilkerson (1931 - 2011). American Pentecostal pastor, evangelist, and author born in Hammond, Indiana. Raised in a family of preachers, he was baptized with the Holy Spirit at eight and began preaching at 14. Ordained in 1952 after studying at Central Bible College, he pastored small churches in Pennsylvania. In 1958, moved by a Life Magazine article about New York gang violence, he started a street ministry, founding Teen Challenge to help addicts and troubled youth. His book "The Cross and the Switchblade," co-authored in 1962, became a bestseller, chronicling his work with gang members like Nicky Cruz. In 1987, he founded Times Square Church in New York City, serving a diverse congregation until his death. Wilkerson wrote over 30 books, including "The Vision," and was known for bold prophecies and a focus on holiness. Married to Gwen since 1953, they had four children. He died in a car accident in Texas. His ministry emphasized compassion for the lost and reliance on God. Wilkerson’s work transformed countless lives globally. His legacy endures through Teen Challenge and Times Square Church.
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David Wilkerson emphasizes the inseparable relationship between love, fear, and obedience in our walk with God. He explains that true love for God is demonstrated through obedience to His commandments, and that the fear of the Lord is essential for cultivating this love. Wilkerson highlights that godly obedience, rooted in a reverent fear of God, leads to a perfected love for Jesus. He encourages believers to seek the fear of the Lord, which can be learned through His Word, and assures that those who obey will experience the profound love of the Father. Ultimately, walking in obedience is the pathway to deepening our love for Christ.
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Perfected by Love
Love, fear, obedience — when it comes to walking with God, they are inseparable because you cannot practice one without the other two. FEAR – “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil” (Proverbs 8:13). LOVE – “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me” (John 14:21). OBEDIENCE – “This is love, that we walk according to His commandments” (2 John 6). You cannot love God without having the fear of God in you; you cannot love him without obeying his Word. Some teach that only the fear of God provokes believers to flee sin, while others teach that the only proper motivation against sin is love. Loving him means obeying his every command, but what produces a consistent, lasting obedience? Godly, loving obedience springs from one source: the fear of the living God. Obedience birthed by a true and pious fear of God is love perfected. If you truly have the fear of God in you, then you will obey his every word. You obtain the fear of God just as Israel did: you learn it! The Lord is ready to teach his fear to all who desire it: “Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord” (Psalm 34:11). Our loving Father teaches us the fear of him through his Word. Jesus promised incredible blessings to all who obey him. “And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him” (John 14:21). This is one of the most powerful promises in the Word of God! The Father has a special love in his heart for those who walk in obedience to his Son. Begin to walk fully in obedience to all you know of his commands and you will be perfected in your love for Jesus!
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David Wilkerson (1931 - 2011). American Pentecostal pastor, evangelist, and author born in Hammond, Indiana. Raised in a family of preachers, he was baptized with the Holy Spirit at eight and began preaching at 14. Ordained in 1952 after studying at Central Bible College, he pastored small churches in Pennsylvania. In 1958, moved by a Life Magazine article about New York gang violence, he started a street ministry, founding Teen Challenge to help addicts and troubled youth. His book "The Cross and the Switchblade," co-authored in 1962, became a bestseller, chronicling his work with gang members like Nicky Cruz. In 1987, he founded Times Square Church in New York City, serving a diverse congregation until his death. Wilkerson wrote over 30 books, including "The Vision," and was known for bold prophecies and a focus on holiness. Married to Gwen since 1953, they had four children. He died in a car accident in Texas. His ministry emphasized compassion for the lost and reliance on God. Wilkerson’s work transformed countless lives globally. His legacy endures through Teen Challenge and Times Square Church.