(John 13:34-35, Matthew 7:3-5, John 8:7, Galatians 6:1-6, 1
Corinthians 13:4-7, Romans 12:17-21, Matthew 7:12, Hosea 4:6, 1 John 4:8,
Galatians 5:22-23, Philippians 4:8)
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (Jhn 13:34-35 NKJV)
We have an issue. I’d like to be able to say that it’s the fault of the internet, but saying that would be allowing myself to be part of the problem. And I’m part of the problem enough, without adding to it by casting blame, once again.
"And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? "Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. (Mat 7:3-5 NKJV)
I know that this verse doesn’t necessarily mean that, as Christians, we can’t judge others. We just need to make sure that we’re more concerned about whether, or not, we have something that we should be worrying about. But what if you have your life all straightened out? What if you really are without sin, is it okay, then, to cast the first stone (John 8:7)? (And, yes, I understand that the context of that verse is sexual sin, and Jesus was probably alluding to the fact that you needed 2-3 witnesses in order to convict someone and so if there was a witness there then they were probably involved in the act of adultery with the woman, but the overall mindset is still a good lesson to learn.)
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load. Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. (Gal 6:1-6 NKJV) (Emphasis mine)
I know Jesus overturned the tables of the moneychangers in the temple (Matthew 12, John 2) but you’re not Jesus and the person who believes in a spherical/flat earth isn’t selling the ability to attain God’s righteousness in the Temple of Yahweh. We need to approach each other in gentleness. We need to truly adhere to words of Jesus, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” All of us, as Christians, need to be mindful of this; if the world looks at us and doesn’t see us loving one another, we may not actually be disciples of Jesus. And just in case someone is preparing their defense, saying that they are correcting their fellow Christians in love (you weren't correcting, you were fighting, let's be honest) I will leave this:
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1Co 13:4-7 ESV)
I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve been arrogant or rude when trying to prove my point. But that doesn’t make it right. I think someone else said this better at one point…
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but [rather] give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom 12:17-21 NKJV)
If we’re going to disagree (and we are), let’s do it in love. If you believe in a Pre-Tribulation rapture of the Church, I promise to still love you. Even if I’m not sure how you got there. We can reason it out in love, without calling each other names.
If you eat bacon, ham and pork for every meal of the day, we can still praise God together, even if we’d have a hard time getting lunch when we’re done.
Speaking of “The Law”, Jesus once told us what the entirety of the Law and the Prophets boiled down to, and I think the Torah observer and the Antinomian can both agree that this is a good thing:
"Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Mat 7:12 NKJV)
So let’s focus on Jesus, and let’s Praise the Lord, and let’s not get into any arguments that we won’t be able to hug it out when we’re done. Let's build up our brothers and sisters, and let's seek the understanding of God's knowledge.
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. (Hos 4:6 ESV)
We judge our knowledge so highly, and we use it as a weapon to beat our brothers and sisters down. If those are the fruits of our “love”, maybe our knowledge isn’t the kind of thing God views as knowledge. After all, God is love (1 John 4:8) and the list of the fruits of the Spirit doesn’t normally include arrogance and bullying (Galatians 5:22-23).
I’ll leave you with this; when, the arguments get heated, and vitriol is flying heavily through the air, take a step back (maybe walk out of the room altogether) and pay attention to the words Paul wrote to people in Philippi:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Phl 4:8 KJV)
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (Jhn 13:34-35 NKJV)
We have an issue. I’d like to be able to say that it’s the fault of the internet, but saying that would be allowing myself to be part of the problem. And I’m part of the problem enough, without adding to it by casting blame, once again.
"And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? "Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. (Mat 7:3-5 NKJV)
I know that this verse doesn’t necessarily mean that, as Christians, we can’t judge others. We just need to make sure that we’re more concerned about whether, or not, we have something that we should be worrying about. But what if you have your life all straightened out? What if you really are without sin, is it okay, then, to cast the first stone (John 8:7)? (And, yes, I understand that the context of that verse is sexual sin, and Jesus was probably alluding to the fact that you needed 2-3 witnesses in order to convict someone and so if there was a witness there then they were probably involved in the act of adultery with the woman, but the overall mindset is still a good lesson to learn.)
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load. Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. (Gal 6:1-6 NKJV) (Emphasis mine)
I know Jesus overturned the tables of the moneychangers in the temple (Matthew 12, John 2) but you’re not Jesus and the person who believes in a spherical/flat earth isn’t selling the ability to attain God’s righteousness in the Temple of Yahweh. We need to approach each other in gentleness. We need to truly adhere to words of Jesus, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” All of us, as Christians, need to be mindful of this; if the world looks at us and doesn’t see us loving one another, we may not actually be disciples of Jesus. And just in case someone is preparing their defense, saying that they are correcting their fellow Christians in love (you weren't correcting, you were fighting, let's be honest) I will leave this:
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1Co 13:4-7 ESV)
I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve been arrogant or rude when trying to prove my point. But that doesn’t make it right. I think someone else said this better at one point…
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but [rather] give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom 12:17-21 NKJV)
If we’re going to disagree (and we are), let’s do it in love. If you believe in a Pre-Tribulation rapture of the Church, I promise to still love you. Even if I’m not sure how you got there. We can reason it out in love, without calling each other names.
If you eat bacon, ham and pork for every meal of the day, we can still praise God together, even if we’d have a hard time getting lunch when we’re done.
Speaking of “The Law”, Jesus once told us what the entirety of the Law and the Prophets boiled down to, and I think the Torah observer and the Antinomian can both agree that this is a good thing:
"Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Mat 7:12 NKJV)
So let’s focus on Jesus, and let’s Praise the Lord, and let’s not get into any arguments that we won’t be able to hug it out when we’re done. Let's build up our brothers and sisters, and let's seek the understanding of God's knowledge.
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. (Hos 4:6 ESV)
We judge our knowledge so highly, and we use it as a weapon to beat our brothers and sisters down. If those are the fruits of our “love”, maybe our knowledge isn’t the kind of thing God views as knowledge. After all, God is love (1 John 4:8) and the list of the fruits of the Spirit doesn’t normally include arrogance and bullying (Galatians 5:22-23).
I’ll leave you with this; when, the arguments get heated, and vitriol is flying heavily through the air, take a step back (maybe walk out of the room altogether) and pay attention to the words Paul wrote to people in Philippi:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Phl 4:8 KJV)
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