Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (This is the first commandment with a promise), “That it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Richard Craig, Author at GraceAndWorks - Page 49 of 59
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intersessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life, godly and respectful in every way. This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, the testimony to which was borne at the proper time.
But those that desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the LOVE of money is the root of all evil; it is through this craving that some have wondered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs. But as for you, man of God, shun all this; aim at righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Have nothing to do with godless and silly myths. Train yourself in godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the cycle of nature, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by humankind, but no human being can tame the tongue–a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brethren, this ought not to be so.
Have you ever reacted or spoken out the best intentions make mistakes of haste? The answer to the question is probably, YES I have. There are times when people acting on emotion or impulse, sometimes fall into temptations and desperately need forgiveness. Family, friends, co-workers and church family, in spite of best intentions make mistakes. It is a fact of our lives that we all make mistakes. None of us are perfect and we will all commit sins from time to time (Romans 3:21-23). When we sin, what is important is our reaction following our misstep. Each of us must confess the sin to the person we have hurt and immediately ask them to forgive us. We must also ask God to forgive us and know that He will.
If the person who has harmed us or said something to hurt us and asks for our forgiveness, what does the bible say our response and reaction should be?
Romans 12:17 says, “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 reminds the forgiving person that love is the key; “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
Matthew 18:15-17 says seek repentance; “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”
Accepting forgiveness is a command. Write the words of Jesus on your heart. He tells us in Luke 17:3-4, “Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying I repent, forgive him.” It takes a big person to know they are wrong and an even bigger person to admit and say they are wrong. Sometimes , it’s as simple as saying, “I was wrong and I’m sorry.”
This article was written by Lillie Montgomery. She and her husband Eddie worship in Pahrump, Nevada at Desert Church of Christ. This is a small church of 10-15 people. If it wasn’t for Lillie and Eddie, the church probably would not exist. Please pray for them as they work in the Lord’s kingdom.
“You have heard it said, `An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.` But I say to you, Do not resist any one who is evil. But if any one who strikes you on the right cheek, turn him the other also; and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you.”
But if anyone has the world’s good and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or speech but in deed and in truth.
And His gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the equipment of the saints, for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the Head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love.
Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them; and those who are ill-treated, since you also are in the body. Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled; for God will judge the immoral and adulterous. Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have; for He has said, “I will never fail you nor forsake you.” Hence we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid; what can man do yo me?” Remember you leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.
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