I'll never forget that day that someone gave me an award for humility and I pinned it up on my wall. 
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What Is Love?
- Thread starter Webers_Home
- Start date
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Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.
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Of course, unity is not to be desired at the expense of truth.
It is important that as believers, we do not blindly accept the words of a pastor; but that we be Bereans (Acts of the Apostles 17:10-11) and search the scriptures to see whether what he is saying is true.
Unity in the truth is what is needed.
Also it appears that the apostle is commanding us to be angry in order that we might not sin.
Being angry at sin is a major part of having victory over it, impaho.
Being angry at sin is a major part of having victory over it, impaho.
.
● Eph 5:2 . . Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up
for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Christ's love went way beyond just being friendly and helpful. His was a
sacrificial kind of love; in other words: it was protective and supportive at
the cost of deep expense to himself-- but not just as a humanitarian.
Christ's life counted for more than just being neighborly, his life of love was
an act of worship.
"I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him
who sent me." (John 6:38)
"I do always those things that please Him." (John 8:29)
In point of fact, God prefers to be worshipped by concern for others than
by church attendance.
"For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than
burnt offerings." (Hos 6:6)
_
● Eph 5:2 . . Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up
for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Christ's love went way beyond just being friendly and helpful. His was a
sacrificial kind of love; in other words: it was protective and supportive at
the cost of deep expense to himself-- but not just as a humanitarian.
Christ's life counted for more than just being neighborly, his life of love was
an act of worship.
"I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him
who sent me." (John 6:38)
"I do always those things that please Him." (John 8:29)
In point of fact, God prefers to be worshipped by concern for others than
by church attendance.
"For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than
burnt offerings." (Hos 6:6)
_
.
● Eph 5:21 . . Submit to one another out of respect for Christ.
The koiné Greek word for "submit" is hupotasso (hoop-ot-as'-so) which
means: to subordinate (as a verb) which is just the opposite of dominance,
equality, and/or rivalry and competition.
A workable synonym for the kind of submission we're talking about here is
"deference" which Webster's defines as: (1) respect and esteem due a
superior or an elder, and (2) affected, or ingratiating, regard for another's
wishes; viz: honor.
This isn't about a pecking order. What we're talking about here is a Christian
social skill; it's about regarding others as not equal to yourself, but actually
better than yourself; and it pleases Christ to do so; besides being just plain
all around good manners.
● Matt 18:3-4 . . Whoever humbles himself as a little child is the greatest in
the kingdom of heaven.
Little children in that day were minors who had little or no social status at all
to speak of. If somebody abused a minor; it was just too bad since there
were no Child Services bureaus to defend them. Minors were typically among
the ruled rather than among those who do the ruling; and they got like zero
to-none respect from their elders.
In other words, an imperious Christian-- one that's assertive, bossy, take
charge, demanding, argumentative, quarrelsome, impudent, conceited,
domineering, confrontational, manipulative, reactive, independent, non
negotiable, opinionated, obstinately or intolerantly devoted to their own
opinions and prejudices, stubborn, and insistent upon their own way --is
definitely a failure at subordinating themselves to their fellow Christians in a
manner consistent with the Lord's instructions.
_
● Eph 5:21 . . Submit to one another out of respect for Christ.
The koiné Greek word for "submit" is hupotasso (hoop-ot-as'-so) which
means: to subordinate (as a verb) which is just the opposite of dominance,
equality, and/or rivalry and competition.
A workable synonym for the kind of submission we're talking about here is
"deference" which Webster's defines as: (1) respect and esteem due a
superior or an elder, and (2) affected, or ingratiating, regard for another's
wishes; viz: honor.
This isn't about a pecking order. What we're talking about here is a Christian
social skill; it's about regarding others as not equal to yourself, but actually
better than yourself; and it pleases Christ to do so; besides being just plain
all around good manners.
● Matt 18:3-4 . . Whoever humbles himself as a little child is the greatest in
the kingdom of heaven.
Little children in that day were minors who had little or no social status at all
to speak of. If somebody abused a minor; it was just too bad since there
were no Child Services bureaus to defend them. Minors were typically among
the ruled rather than among those who do the ruling; and they got like zero
to-none respect from their elders.
In other words, an imperious Christian-- one that's assertive, bossy, take
charge, demanding, argumentative, quarrelsome, impudent, conceited,
domineering, confrontational, manipulative, reactive, independent, non
negotiable, opinionated, obstinately or intolerantly devoted to their own
opinions and prejudices, stubborn, and insistent upon their own way --is
definitely a failure at subordinating themselves to their fellow Christians in a
manner consistent with the Lord's instructions.
_
.
● Eph 5:28-33a . . In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as
their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever
hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the
church-- for we are members of his body.
. . .For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to
his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery--
but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also
must love his wife as he loves himself,
That, of course, is a practical application of the so-called golden rule; which
first shows up in the Bible at Lev 19:18, applied at Lev 19:34, and reiterated
at Matt 7:12 and Luke 6:31.
The very opposite of the golden rule would be for a husband to do unto his
wife the very things that he does do not enjoy being done to himself; either
by word or by deed.
I'm not a qualified marriage counselor, but in my unprofessional opinion,
were couples to practice the golden rule in their association with each other,
it would go a long ways towards preventing their homes from becoming the
semblance of a cold war.
There are toxic wives out there who do not deserve their husband's
affections; and in fact have done all in their power to destroy them.
Nevertheless, it is his Christian duty to continue looking after her, and to
treat her well as if his very life depended upon it in spite of the fact that she
may be someone he deeply regrets courting.
_
● Eph 5:28-33a . . In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as
their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever
hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the
church-- for we are members of his body.
. . .For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to
his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery--
but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also
must love his wife as he loves himself,
That, of course, is a practical application of the so-called golden rule; which
first shows up in the Bible at Lev 19:18, applied at Lev 19:34, and reiterated
at Matt 7:12 and Luke 6:31.
The very opposite of the golden rule would be for a husband to do unto his
wife the very things that he does do not enjoy being done to himself; either
by word or by deed.
I'm not a qualified marriage counselor, but in my unprofessional opinion,
were couples to practice the golden rule in their association with each other,
it would go a long ways towards preventing their homes from becoming the
semblance of a cold war.
There are toxic wives out there who do not deserve their husband's
affections; and in fact have done all in their power to destroy them.
Nevertheless, it is his Christian duty to continue looking after her, and to
treat her well as if his very life depended upon it in spite of the fact that she
may be someone he deeply regrets courting.
_
.
● Eph 5:33b . . and the wife must respect her husband.
We're not talking about admiration here. The Greek verb for "respect" is
phobeo (fob-eh'-o) which essentially refers to fright; and is used just that
way in numerous places throughout the New Testament.
Some translators render phobeo as "reverence" which Webster's defines as
honor or respect; felt or shown; which means that wives don't especially
have to like their husbands in order to respect them. An attitude of respect
will do in lieu of felt respect. In other words: the Christian wife would do well
to stifle the disgust she feels for her husband and be civil.
I overheard a female caller on radio imperiously announcing to Dr. Laura
that she couldn't respect her husband. So Dr. Laura asked her why. The
caller responded: Because he hasn't earned my respect. So Laura asked the
caller: Have you earned your husband's love? The caller retorted: I don't
have to earn his love. It's a husband's duty to love his wife just as she is.
So Laura pointed out that the caller was practicing a double standard. She
demanded that her husband love her unconditionally, while refusing to
respect him unconditionally. And on top of that; had the chutzpah to dictate
the rules of engagement regardless of how her husband might feel about it;
thus making herself not only impossible to like, but also quite difficult to live
with
_
● Eph 5:33b . . and the wife must respect her husband.
We're not talking about admiration here. The Greek verb for "respect" is
phobeo (fob-eh'-o) which essentially refers to fright; and is used just that
way in numerous places throughout the New Testament.
Some translators render phobeo as "reverence" which Webster's defines as
honor or respect; felt or shown; which means that wives don't especially
have to like their husbands in order to respect them. An attitude of respect
will do in lieu of felt respect. In other words: the Christian wife would do well
to stifle the disgust she feels for her husband and be civil.
I overheard a female caller on radio imperiously announcing to Dr. Laura
that she couldn't respect her husband. So Dr. Laura asked her why. The
caller responded: Because he hasn't earned my respect. So Laura asked the
caller: Have you earned your husband's love? The caller retorted: I don't
have to earn his love. It's a husband's duty to love his wife just as she is.
So Laura pointed out that the caller was practicing a double standard. She
demanded that her husband love her unconditionally, while refusing to
respect him unconditionally. And on top of that; had the chutzpah to dictate
the rules of engagement regardless of how her husband might feel about it;
thus making herself not only impossible to like, but also quite difficult to live
with
_
.
● Eph 6:4 . . Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them
up in the training and instruction of The Lord.
We're not talking about religious training here-- the focus is upon a daddy's
parenting style. Despotism, tyranny, and unfairness are not The Lord's way
of raising kids; but rather; his way is the manner of a shepherd; and "good"
shepherds aren't cruel to their flocks.
Maybe you don't burn your kids with cigarettes, pour Tabasco sauce in their
eyes, or lock them in a hall closet without food and water for two days; but
do you ignore their opinions, demean them with denigrating labels, ridicule
them, threaten their lives, work them as slaves without compensation, deny
them things just so you won't appear to indulge them, and/or say "no" to
their requests for no good reason than that you don't want to seem weak
and under their control?
Do you routinely abuse their human rights, and/or relegate them to the level
of livestock rather than bona fide human beings with feelings and a mind of
their own? Do you nurture within them a feeling of importance, of belonging
in your home, or do you make them feel like an invasive species and/or an
uninvited guest? Kids pick up on things like that.
But aren't there moms out there exasperating their kids? Of course! Mothers
can be just as tyrannical, just as despotic, and just as unfair as dads.
I believe it is a Spirit-filled dad's sacred filial duty to defend his children from
their own mother's abuses should the need arise. Not many dads are willing
to do that because it means risking having the wife turn against him; so
quite a few dads opt to sacrifice the children in order to keep momma
happy.
In my opinion, throwing one's own children to the wolves in order to avoid
living in the same house with a moody woman has to be one of the worst
possible sins a man can ever commit in his own home. It's just downright
cowardly; and tells the kids they can't trust the one man in the whole world
upon whom they should be able to rely in times of distress.
FYI: The Bible predicts that towards the end, parents will become callous
with their babies.
● 2Tim 3:1-3 . . This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall
come. For people shall be . . .without natural affection
The koiné Greek word for "without natural affection" is astorgos (as'-tor
gos) which means: hard-hearted towards kindred; viz: lacking in
sympathetic understanding i.e. unfeeling, pitiless, thoughtless, insensitive,
cruel, and inhumane.
_
● Eph 6:4 . . Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them
up in the training and instruction of The Lord.
We're not talking about religious training here-- the focus is upon a daddy's
parenting style. Despotism, tyranny, and unfairness are not The Lord's way
of raising kids; but rather; his way is the manner of a shepherd; and "good"
shepherds aren't cruel to their flocks.
Maybe you don't burn your kids with cigarettes, pour Tabasco sauce in their
eyes, or lock them in a hall closet without food and water for two days; but
do you ignore their opinions, demean them with denigrating labels, ridicule
them, threaten their lives, work them as slaves without compensation, deny
them things just so you won't appear to indulge them, and/or say "no" to
their requests for no good reason than that you don't want to seem weak
and under their control?
Do you routinely abuse their human rights, and/or relegate them to the level
of livestock rather than bona fide human beings with feelings and a mind of
their own? Do you nurture within them a feeling of importance, of belonging
in your home, or do you make them feel like an invasive species and/or an
uninvited guest? Kids pick up on things like that.
But aren't there moms out there exasperating their kids? Of course! Mothers
can be just as tyrannical, just as despotic, and just as unfair as dads.
I believe it is a Spirit-filled dad's sacred filial duty to defend his children from
their own mother's abuses should the need arise. Not many dads are willing
to do that because it means risking having the wife turn against him; so
quite a few dads opt to sacrifice the children in order to keep momma
happy.
In my opinion, throwing one's own children to the wolves in order to avoid
living in the same house with a moody woman has to be one of the worst
possible sins a man can ever commit in his own home. It's just downright
cowardly; and tells the kids they can't trust the one man in the whole world
upon whom they should be able to rely in times of distress.
FYI: The Bible predicts that towards the end, parents will become callous
with their babies.
● 2Tim 3:1-3 . . This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall
come. For people shall be . . .without natural affection
The koiné Greek word for "without natural affection" is astorgos (as'-tor
gos) which means: hard-hearted towards kindred; viz: lacking in
sympathetic understanding i.e. unfeeling, pitiless, thoughtless, insensitive,
cruel, and inhumane.
_
.
● Eph 6:9a . . And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not
threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is
in heaven,
The "masters" in that verse are Christian masters; Paul's letters were written
and sent to churches rather than to the world at large.
If there is one political maxim that seems to ring true in every generation,
it's that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. It's in the
human heart to abuse authority and to oppress and exploit people rather
than manage them to everyone's advantage.
Christian masters, and Christian slaves, are siblings together in God's family
(Gal 3:28). Therefore, Christ's law is to be exemplified by both the slave and
by his master.
● John 15:12-13 . . My command is this: Love each other as I have loved
you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his
friends.
A slave master willing to sacrifice his life to protect his slaves would be a
very unusual master; but that is the very attitude of a Spirit-filled master
towards his Christian slaves; and should be the attitude of a Spirit-filled
supervisor towards his Christian employees: which is the attitude of a good
shepherd rather than that of a self-serving predator.
The Christian master's rank doesn't mitigate his accountability; he has no
advantage over the Christian slave. Both must give an accounting of
themselves, and neither the master nor the slave will be given the slightest
preferential treatment. No, they will be recompensed on the merits of their
faithfulness; rather than their positions.
● Eph 6:9b . . There is no favoritism with Him.
_
● Eph 6:9a . . And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not
threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is
in heaven,
The "masters" in that verse are Christian masters; Paul's letters were written
and sent to churches rather than to the world at large.
If there is one political maxim that seems to ring true in every generation,
it's that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. It's in the
human heart to abuse authority and to oppress and exploit people rather
than manage them to everyone's advantage.
Christian masters, and Christian slaves, are siblings together in God's family
(Gal 3:28). Therefore, Christ's law is to be exemplified by both the slave and
by his master.
● John 15:12-13 . . My command is this: Love each other as I have loved
you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his
friends.
A slave master willing to sacrifice his life to protect his slaves would be a
very unusual master; but that is the very attitude of a Spirit-filled master
towards his Christian slaves; and should be the attitude of a Spirit-filled
supervisor towards his Christian employees: which is the attitude of a good
shepherd rather than that of a self-serving predator.
The Christian master's rank doesn't mitigate his accountability; he has no
advantage over the Christian slave. Both must give an accounting of
themselves, and neither the master nor the slave will be given the slightest
preferential treatment. No, they will be recompensed on the merits of their
faithfulness; rather than their positions.
● Eph 6:9b . . There is no favoritism with Him.
_
.
● Phil 2:2-3 . . Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in
humility consider others better than yourselves.
If there is at least one place on earth where believers should be on the same
plane with each other it's church; but that's not always the case as human
beings are just naturally prone to status; especially among pastors, choir
members, Sunday school teachers, Deacons, Deaconesses, etc.
Some people aren't content with mediocrity; no, they have to be head and
shoulders above the crowd, they have to be admired: they have to be feted,
they have to be heard, they have to be noticed, they have to be somebody,
they have to be a mover and a shaker, they have to be up in an ivory tower;
they have to have their finger on the pulse; they have to be in the limelight.
And above all; they have to be right because it is totally contrary to conceit's
nature to be wrong about anything; even superfluous minutiae.
If you should find yourself in a position around your church, whether as an
usher or a cook for men's Saturday morning prayer breakfast, make sure
you're your heart's in the right place because there is coming a performance
evaluation for the Lord's sheep where some of the elite are going to be very
embarrassed when they're exposed for the ambitious achievers they really
are.
● 1Cor 4:5 . . He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness, and will
expose the motives of men's hearts.
An especially bad case of "vain conceit" is on display at 3John 1:9-10
_
● Phil 2:2-3 . . Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in
humility consider others better than yourselves.
If there is at least one place on earth where believers should be on the same
plane with each other it's church; but that's not always the case as human
beings are just naturally prone to status; especially among pastors, choir
members, Sunday school teachers, Deacons, Deaconesses, etc.
Some people aren't content with mediocrity; no, they have to be head and
shoulders above the crowd, they have to be admired: they have to be feted,
they have to be heard, they have to be noticed, they have to be somebody,
they have to be a mover and a shaker, they have to be up in an ivory tower;
they have to have their finger on the pulse; they have to be in the limelight.
And above all; they have to be right because it is totally contrary to conceit's
nature to be wrong about anything; even superfluous minutiae.
If you should find yourself in a position around your church, whether as an
usher or a cook for men's Saturday morning prayer breakfast, make sure
you're your heart's in the right place because there is coming a performance
evaluation for the Lord's sheep where some of the elite are going to be very
embarrassed when they're exposed for the ambitious achievers they really
are.
● 1Cor 4:5 . . He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness, and will
expose the motives of men's hearts.
An especially bad case of "vain conceit" is on display at 3John 1:9-10
_
.
● Phil 2:4 . . Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also
to the interests of others.
The "others" in that verse are exclusive. Paul's directive pertains only to the
classification of people to whom he penned his letter; viz: "saints in Christ
Jesus . . together with the overseers and deacons" (Phil 1:1)
Seeing as how The Lord expressly forbids selfish ambition amongst his own;
therefore, before proceeding with your ideas, be very sure to ponder all the
possible ramifications of your actions first.
Stepping on people's toes, and/or thwarting their ideas so that yours prevail,
fails to satisfy the law of Christ; which requires believers to love their fellow
believers as Christ loves them (John 15:12). It also fails to satisfy the
Golden Rule which says: So in everything, do to others what you would have
them do to you. (Matt 7:12). Always looking out for No.1 just simply isn't
very nice.
_
● Phil 2:4 . . Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also
to the interests of others.
The "others" in that verse are exclusive. Paul's directive pertains only to the
classification of people to whom he penned his letter; viz: "saints in Christ
Jesus . . together with the overseers and deacons" (Phil 1:1)
Seeing as how The Lord expressly forbids selfish ambition amongst his own;
therefore, before proceeding with your ideas, be very sure to ponder all the
possible ramifications of your actions first.
Stepping on people's toes, and/or thwarting their ideas so that yours prevail,
fails to satisfy the law of Christ; which requires believers to love their fellow
believers as Christ loves them (John 15:12). It also fails to satisfy the
Golden Rule which says: So in everything, do to others what you would have
them do to you. (Matt 7:12). Always looking out for No.1 just simply isn't
very nice.
_
.
● Phil 4:5 . . Let your gentleness be evident to all.
The koiné Greek word for "gentleness" is epieikes (ep-ee-i-kace') which
essentially means: mild.
Webster's defines "mild" as gentle in nature or behavior, moderate in action
or effect; not sharp or bitter, i.e. just the opposite of fierce, harsh, rough,
scathing, mean, abrasive, stormy, intemperate, strict, and/or severe.
Though a mild person is affable, they aren't necessarily a wimp; no, they're
just not easy to provoke. The quite opposite would be a thin skinned,
reactive, defensive personality that goes to war at the drop of a hat.
Mild people don't threaten, nor come at you with bared teeth and narrowed
eyes. They're reasonable and rational, rather than emotional and reactive.
Assertive, confrontational people have no clue what it is to be mild; and
those are the very ones losing sleep with evil thoughts as they obsessively
re-wind and re-play a conflict with somebody in their heads over, and over,
and over again rehearsing things they should've said, and would've said, had
they thought of them.
● Matt 5:5 . . Blessed are the meek.
Moses was meek (Num 12:3) and Christ was meek (Matt 11:29, Matt 21:5).
Personally I wouldn't categorize either of those two men as meek. So then,
what really is meekness?
Primarily, to be meek, in the Biblical sense of the word, is to be temperate.
A temperate person isn't eo ipso a cowering milk toast. Anybody who's
studied the life of Moses and Jesus can easily testify that neither of those
men were timid; no, they walked softly but carried a big stick, so to speak.
Never mistake true meekness for a yellow streak.
Jacob and his dad Isaac were temperate men; but could be very strong
when the situation called for it. Temperate people pick their battles carefully,
and never waste anger and energy on trifles.
There are Christians in this world who're simply implacable. They just cannot
live and let live. Turning the other cheek is to them a worn-out cliché that no
one takes seriously anymore. For them rivalry, conflict, revenge,
competition, retaliation, recriminations, and grudging are a way of life: every
disagreement is an act of war-- they're peevish, emotional, bitter, harsh,
unloving, cruel, thoughtless, and reactive; and they thrive on complaining,
criticizing, chafing, carping, finding fault, tattling, bickering, retort upon
retort, rejoinder upon rejoinder, sarcasm, endless debate, dredging up old
unresolved conflicts, gainsaying, and getting in people's faces and giving
them a piece of their mind.
It seems like those people are always getting indignant about some petty
outrage or another. Well; those kinds of Christians are definitely not in the
"gentle" category. They're hellish, toxic demons who relish letting their
wrath be evident to all instead of gentleness because when they're upset;
they want everybody to know it.
_
● Phil 4:5 . . Let your gentleness be evident to all.
The koiné Greek word for "gentleness" is epieikes (ep-ee-i-kace') which
essentially means: mild.
Webster's defines "mild" as gentle in nature or behavior, moderate in action
or effect; not sharp or bitter, i.e. just the opposite of fierce, harsh, rough,
scathing, mean, abrasive, stormy, intemperate, strict, and/or severe.
Though a mild person is affable, they aren't necessarily a wimp; no, they're
just not easy to provoke. The quite opposite would be a thin skinned,
reactive, defensive personality that goes to war at the drop of a hat.
Mild people don't threaten, nor come at you with bared teeth and narrowed
eyes. They're reasonable and rational, rather than emotional and reactive.
Assertive, confrontational people have no clue what it is to be mild; and
those are the very ones losing sleep with evil thoughts as they obsessively
re-wind and re-play a conflict with somebody in their heads over, and over,
and over again rehearsing things they should've said, and would've said, had
they thought of them.
● Matt 5:5 . . Blessed are the meek.
Moses was meek (Num 12:3) and Christ was meek (Matt 11:29, Matt 21:5).
Personally I wouldn't categorize either of those two men as meek. So then,
what really is meekness?
Primarily, to be meek, in the Biblical sense of the word, is to be temperate.
A temperate person isn't eo ipso a cowering milk toast. Anybody who's
studied the life of Moses and Jesus can easily testify that neither of those
men were timid; no, they walked softly but carried a big stick, so to speak.
Never mistake true meekness for a yellow streak.
Jacob and his dad Isaac were temperate men; but could be very strong
when the situation called for it. Temperate people pick their battles carefully,
and never waste anger and energy on trifles.
There are Christians in this world who're simply implacable. They just cannot
live and let live. Turning the other cheek is to them a worn-out cliché that no
one takes seriously anymore. For them rivalry, conflict, revenge,
competition, retaliation, recriminations, and grudging are a way of life: every
disagreement is an act of war-- they're peevish, emotional, bitter, harsh,
unloving, cruel, thoughtless, and reactive; and they thrive on complaining,
criticizing, chafing, carping, finding fault, tattling, bickering, retort upon
retort, rejoinder upon rejoinder, sarcasm, endless debate, dredging up old
unresolved conflicts, gainsaying, and getting in people's faces and giving
them a piece of their mind.
It seems like those people are always getting indignant about some petty
outrage or another. Well; those kinds of Christians are definitely not in the
"gentle" category. They're hellish, toxic demons who relish letting their
wrath be evident to all instead of gentleness because when they're upset;
they want everybody to know it.
_
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.
● Col 3:9-10 . . Do not lie to each other since you have taken off your old
self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed
in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Humanity's original self began its created existence in the image of God
(Gen 1:26-27). In other words; Adam started off as an honest man. Clearly
then; dishonesty does not reflect the image of God, rather, it projects
humanity's own image.
Humanity's original self wasn't created bullet-proof, so to speak. It was
corruptible (Eph 4:22). Were that not true, we'd all be honest men rather
than a pack of liars, deceivers, beguilers, and dissemblers.
The koiné Greek word for "renewed" is anakainoo (an-ak-ahee-no'-o) which
means: to renovate; which Webster's defines as: (1) to restore to a former
better state (as by cleaning, repairing, or rebuilding), and (2) to restore to
life, vigor, or activity: revive. In other words: regenerate.
NOTE: It's interesting that the Colossian believers were lying to each other,
and no doubt would have continued had not Paul commanded them to stop
it.
_
● Col 3:9-10 . . Do not lie to each other since you have taken off your old
self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed
in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Humanity's original self began its created existence in the image of God
(Gen 1:26-27). In other words; Adam started off as an honest man. Clearly
then; dishonesty does not reflect the image of God, rather, it projects
humanity's own image.
Humanity's original self wasn't created bullet-proof, so to speak. It was
corruptible (Eph 4:22). Were that not true, we'd all be honest men rather
than a pack of liars, deceivers, beguilers, and dissemblers.
The koiné Greek word for "renewed" is anakainoo (an-ak-ahee-no'-o) which
means: to renovate; which Webster's defines as: (1) to restore to a former
better state (as by cleaning, repairing, or rebuilding), and (2) to restore to
life, vigor, or activity: revive. In other words: regenerate.
NOTE: It's interesting that the Colossian believers were lying to each other,
and no doubt would have continued had not Paul commanded them to stop
it.
_
.
● Col 3:13-14 . . Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you
may have against one another. Forgive as The Lord forgave you. And over
all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
One of The Lord's constant rubs with his religious opponents was their
virtually 100% lack of kindness; which effectively invalidated their rituals.
● Matt 9:13 . . Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not
sacrifice.
Some folk honestly believe that Christ's statement, taken from Hosea 6:6,
practically repealed the entire God-given book of Leviticus. But that's not
what either Hosea or Jesus were saying. They meant that God much prefers
that people be civil to each other rather than religious to their fingertips.
In other words; an ungracious person's lack of things like sympathy,
patience, tolerance, lenience, helpfulness, pity, and common courtesy
causes God to reject their worship just as thoroughly and bluntly as He
rejected Cain's. I really think that God is insulted when people lacking
humanity come to church actually thinking He's glad to see them show up
for some quality time together.
_
● Col 3:13-14 . . Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you
may have against one another. Forgive as The Lord forgave you. And over
all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
One of The Lord's constant rubs with his religious opponents was their
virtually 100% lack of kindness; which effectively invalidated their rituals.
● Matt 9:13 . . Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not
sacrifice.
Some folk honestly believe that Christ's statement, taken from Hosea 6:6,
practically repealed the entire God-given book of Leviticus. But that's not
what either Hosea or Jesus were saying. They meant that God much prefers
that people be civil to each other rather than religious to their fingertips.
In other words; an ungracious person's lack of things like sympathy,
patience, tolerance, lenience, helpfulness, pity, and common courtesy
causes God to reject their worship just as thoroughly and bluntly as He
rejected Cain's. I really think that God is insulted when people lacking
humanity come to church actually thinking He's glad to see them show up
for some quality time together.
_
.
● Col 3:15a . . Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members
of one body you were called to peace.
The world is not impressed when believers are at war with themselves.
There is a very subtle hint to that effect at Gen 13:1-7. How do you suppose
Abram's and Lot's squabbling looked to the pagans? When God's people
can't get along, outsiders become disgusted with them and they sure won't
be influenced for God in a good way when The Lord's people are fighting
amongst themselves like that.
Years ago, when I was a young welder just starting out on my own, I rented
a small room in a daylight basement from a man who was the senior pastor
of a medium-sized Seventh Day Adventist church in the Portland Oregon
area. He and his wife radiated the luster of polished spirituality whenever I
spoke with them out in the yard, but in my location under the floor of the
house, I could overhear their bitter quarrels upstairs behind closed doors.
Was I favorably inclined to attend his church? No.
A church without peace is a church deprived of the Spirit.
● Gal 5:22-23 . . The fruit of the Spirit is peace.
_
● Col 3:15a . . Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members
of one body you were called to peace.
The world is not impressed when believers are at war with themselves.
There is a very subtle hint to that effect at Gen 13:1-7. How do you suppose
Abram's and Lot's squabbling looked to the pagans? When God's people
can't get along, outsiders become disgusted with them and they sure won't
be influenced for God in a good way when The Lord's people are fighting
amongst themselves like that.
Years ago, when I was a young welder just starting out on my own, I rented
a small room in a daylight basement from a man who was the senior pastor
of a medium-sized Seventh Day Adventist church in the Portland Oregon
area. He and his wife radiated the luster of polished spirituality whenever I
spoke with them out in the yard, but in my location under the floor of the
house, I could overhear their bitter quarrels upstairs behind closed doors.
Was I favorably inclined to attend his church? No.
A church without peace is a church deprived of the Spirit.
● Gal 5:22-23 . . The fruit of the Spirit is peace.
_
.
● Col 3:18 . .Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in The Lord.
NOTE: Here's a new word for your vocabulary: Womxn. You know what that
is? It's the latest desperate attempt by man-hating women to avoid
identifying themselves with men in every way possible. I suppose they'll
next revise the spelling of their gender to look like this: femxle.
Anyway: in a nutshell; the submission we're talking about here is entirely
positional.
For example; we ought to respect senior citizens not because they
themselves have done anything to earn it, rather, because it's a respect that
their age deserves. (cf. Lev 19:32)
Back when Queen Elizabeth II became monarch, her husband Philip felt
humiliated to have to kneel to his own wife till she explained to him that he
wouldn't be kneeling to her, rather, to the crown.
In other words: it's the position that deserves the respect rather than the
person in it. So, wives give your husbands the respect due to their position
in the home rather than the blokes they are.
"Wives, submit to your husband as to The Lord." (Eph 5:22)
That's a pretty tall order for Christian wives in a modern culture that
constantly pressures them to be strong and masculine rather than soft and
feminine; to be superiors rather than subordinates; and to be assertive,
confrontational, and defiant rather than reasonable, peaceable, and
cooperative.
_
● Col 3:18 . .Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in The Lord.
NOTE: Here's a new word for your vocabulary: Womxn. You know what that
is? It's the latest desperate attempt by man-hating women to avoid
identifying themselves with men in every way possible. I suppose they'll
next revise the spelling of their gender to look like this: femxle.
Anyway: in a nutshell; the submission we're talking about here is entirely
positional.
For example; we ought to respect senior citizens not because they
themselves have done anything to earn it, rather, because it's a respect that
their age deserves. (cf. Lev 19:32)
Back when Queen Elizabeth II became monarch, her husband Philip felt
humiliated to have to kneel to his own wife till she explained to him that he
wouldn't be kneeling to her, rather, to the crown.
In other words: it's the position that deserves the respect rather than the
person in it. So, wives give your husbands the respect due to their position
in the home rather than the blokes they are.
"Wives, submit to your husband as to The Lord." (Eph 5:22)
That's a pretty tall order for Christian wives in a modern culture that
constantly pressures them to be strong and masculine rather than soft and
feminine; to be superiors rather than subordinates; and to be assertive,
confrontational, and defiant rather than reasonable, peaceable, and
cooperative.
_
.
● Col 3:19 . . Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
Harsh can be defined a number of ways.
1) Abrasive
2) Abusive
3) Critical
4) Unfriendly
5) Uncivil
6) Rough
7) Oppressive
8) Cruel
9) Hostile
10) Loud
11) Demanding
12) Intolerant
13) Impatient
14) Insensitive
15) Unyielding
Those behaviors are very effective at making a Christian wife's existence
bitter, i.e. a living hell; especially a Christian wife who's making an honest
effort to comply with Col 3:18.
_
● Col 3:19 . . Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
Harsh can be defined a number of ways.
1) Abrasive
2) Abusive
3) Critical
4) Unfriendly
5) Uncivil
6) Rough
7) Oppressive
8) Cruel
9) Hostile
10) Loud
11) Demanding
12) Intolerant
13) Impatient
14) Insensitive
15) Unyielding
Those behaviors are very effective at making a Christian wife's existence
bitter, i.e. a living hell; especially a Christian wife who's making an honest
effort to comply with Col 3:18.
_
.
● Col 3:21 . . Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become
discouraged.
The koiné Greek word for "discouraged" is athumeo (ath-oo-meh'-o) which
has to do with breaking the spirit. Really bad cases of embitterment can
cause a child to lose the will to excel; sometimes even the will to live, i.e.
suicidal.
_
● Col 3:21 . . Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become
discouraged.
The koiné Greek word for "discouraged" is athumeo (ath-oo-meh'-o) which
has to do with breaking the spirit. Really bad cases of embitterment can
cause a child to lose the will to excel; sometimes even the will to live, i.e.
suicidal.
_
.
● Col 4:1 . . Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because
you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
The master in heaven is providential. In other words: Christian masters have
a sacred obligation to house their slaves in decent accommodations, clothe
them with adequate garments, and nourish them with good food too
because slave masters are a father to the souls in their house; they depend
on him to care for them; there's no one else; and according to Gen 1:26-28
and Matt 12:11-12, people deserve to be treated better than an animal.
_
● Col 4:1 . . Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because
you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
The master in heaven is providential. In other words: Christian masters have
a sacred obligation to house their slaves in decent accommodations, clothe
them with adequate garments, and nourish them with good food too
because slave masters are a father to the souls in their house; they depend
on him to care for them; there's no one else; and according to Gen 1:26-28
and Matt 12:11-12, people deserve to be treated better than an animal.
_
.
● 1Thess 4:3-7 . . It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you
should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his
own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the
heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong
his brother or take advantage of him.
"wrong his brother" refers to adultery.
● Heb 13:4 . . Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept
pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
Christians commit adultery with Christians? Haw! Does that even need to be
answered? Of course they do; and it goes on all the time, even among
church officers; who by all rights should be setting the example for the rank
and file.
My wife was once friends with the wife of a counselor in a very big church in
San Diego. She confided with my wife (on the QT of course) that it was
amazing the number of church officers and their wives who were messing
around. She couldn't reveal their names of course due to confidentiality
considerations.
_
● 1Thess 4:3-7 . . It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you
should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his
own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the
heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong
his brother or take advantage of him.
"wrong his brother" refers to adultery.
● Heb 13:4 . . Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept
pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
Christians commit adultery with Christians? Haw! Does that even need to be
answered? Of course they do; and it goes on all the time, even among
church officers; who by all rights should be setting the example for the rank
and file.
My wife was once friends with the wife of a counselor in a very big church in
San Diego. She confided with my wife (on the QT of course) that it was
amazing the number of church officers and their wives who were messing
around. She couldn't reveal their names of course due to confidentiality
considerations.
_
