Bible Verses About Compassion and Sympathy

This section listed bible verses about Compassion and Sympathy. There are events in life where people are in distress and you would like to sympathize with them but you have no idea of what are the right words to say. These powerful bible verses are sufficient to show compassion and sympatize to the person for it is the living word of God. Verses the brings peace and joy. Sources are from both old and new testament. Please drop us a note if you want to contribute new sympathy or compassion bible verses. "As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, "If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peacebut now it is hidden from your eyes."" Luke 19:41-42

"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." Romans 12:15

"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble." 1 Peter 3:8

"A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty." Job 6:14

"Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." Hebrews 13:3

"Therefore I said, "Turn away from me;

let me weep bitterly. Do not try to console me over the destruction of my people."" Isaiah 22:4

"Oh, that my head were a spring of water and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night for the slain of my people." Jeremiah 9:1

"Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered," Psalms 35:13

"He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done." Proverbs 19:17

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2

"Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?" 2 Corinthians 11:29 2

"So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." 1 Corinthians 12:25-26

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?" 1 John 3:17

"Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem." John 4:20

"The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?'" Matthew 13:27

"He told them still another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough."" Matthew 13:33

"He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness." Hebrews 5:2

"He caused them to be pitied

by all who held them captive." Psalms 106:46

"He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done." Proverbs 19:17 "And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." Matthew 10:42

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, Luke 10:33

"But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him."

Luke 15:20

"She opened it and saw the baby. He was crying, and she felt sorry for him. "This is one of the Hebrew babies," she said." Exodus 2:6

"When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Makir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim 28 brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils, [a] 29 honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows' milk for David and his people to eat. For they said, "The people have become hungry and tired and 4

thirsty in the desert." "

2 Samuel 17:27-29

She said to Elijah, "What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?" "Give me your son," Elijah replied. He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed.

Kings 17:18-19

"When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven."

Nehemiah 1:4

"When Job's three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him." Job 2:11

"Have I not wept for those in trouble? Has not my soul grieved for the poor?" Job 30:25

"Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. 5

When my prayers returned to me unanswered,

I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother." Psalms 35:13-14

"And many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother." John 11:19

"To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some." 1 Corinthians 9:22 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^

The One Another's and Each Other's List of the Bible

Leviticus 19:11

"'Do not steal. "'Do not lie. "'Do not deceive one another. 6

John 13:14

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.

John 13:34

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

John 13:35

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Romans 12:10

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:16

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Romans 13:8

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

Romans 14:13

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.

Romans 15:7

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Romans 15:14

I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.

Romans 16:16

Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.

1 Corinthians 1:10

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

Galatians 5:13

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

Ephesians 4:2

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Ephesians 4:32

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 5:19

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,

Ephesians 5:21

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Colossians 3:13

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Colossians 3:16

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

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1 Thessalonians 5:11

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Hebrews 3:13

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

Hebrews 10:24

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Hebrews 10:25

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

James 4:11

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Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.

1 Peter 3:8

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.

1 Peter 4:9

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

1 Peter 5:5

Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

1 John 1:7

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the 12

blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

1 John 3:11

This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

1 John 3:23

And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

1 John 4:7

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

1 John 4:11

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4:12

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No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

1 Peter 4:8

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

James 5:16

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

James 5:9

Don 't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

Hebrews 13:1

Keep on loving each other as brothers. 14

2 Thessalonians 1:3

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.

1 Thessalonians 5:15

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

1 Thessalonians 5:13

Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 4:18

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Therefore encourage each other with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:9

Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.

1 Thessalonians 3:12

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.

Colossians 3:13

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Colossians 3:9

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices

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Philippians 4:2

I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.

Ephesians 4:32

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Galatians 5:26

Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Galatians 6:2

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Corinthians 12:25

so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for 17

each other.

Galatians 5:15

If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

1 Corinthians 11:33

So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other.

Romans 1:12

that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.

Ephesians 4:16

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Philippians 2:3-5

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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

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What does the Bible Say about Christian Values and Christian Living?

A list of ten values or principles for living that are emphasized most strongly in the Bible.

The New Testament of the Bible tells of two kingdoms - the kingdom of this world and the kingdom of God.

The kingdom of this world is under the influence of Satan (Luke 4:5-6, John 14:30-31, 1 John 5:18-20, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4). The dominant values of the world include wealth, power, pleasure, revenge, fame, vanity and status. These things are most important to people who perceive no power or purpose beyond themselves. Worldly values promote jealousies, resentments and conflicts among people in accordance with the purposes of Satan (John 8:44, Acts 5:3, Romans 16:17-20, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 2:1-3, 4:25-32, 2 Timothy 2:22-26, 1 John 3:8-10) .

The kingdom of God (also known as the kingdom of heaven) is not a geographic location. It exists within the world among those people who put their faith, trust and loyalty in God (Luke 17:20-21). The values of the kingdom of God are often the opposite of worldly values: kindness and respect for all people instead of power; humility instead of status, fame and vanity; honesty and generosity instead of wealth; self-control instead of pleasure; forgiveness instead of revenge. Christian values promote peace and good will among people in accordance with the 19

purposes of God.

These are the things we strive for if we are sincere followers of Christ. We will never achieve perfection in this life, but those people who strive to obey God often find a sense of joy and peace that no worldly rewards can match!

1. Worship only God One day, a religious leader asked Jesus which of the commandments was most important:

"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' (NIV, Mark 12:28-30)

The Hebrews of Old Testament times tended to lapse into worship of pagan deities and statues of animals or other objects, but anything that takes the place of our devotion to God becomes an idol or false god, and that is forbidden by the first of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-6). Jesus particularly singled out love of wealth as a false god (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13), and other Bible passages mention greed, covetousness, arrogance, gluttony and pride as being equivalent to idolatry.

In today's world, many things compete against God for our devotion. These are some of the things that can become modern-day idolatry if we let them become too important to us:

Excessive attention to material things such as houses, cars, clothes, jewelry, physical appearance, entertainment, etc. Pursuit of wealth, power, fame, pleasure or status Excessive devotion to self, job, hobbies, country, ideologies, heroes, leaders, even family

Bible references: 1 Samuel 15:23, Matthew 6:31-34, 22:34-40, Mark 12:28-31, Luke 10:25-28, Acts 14:11-15, 1 Corinthians 10:14, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:5, Colossians 3:5, Philippians 20

3:18-19, 1 Timothy 6:6-11, 6:17-20, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Hebrews 13:5, 1 Peter 4:1-6 Other references: Love the Lord Your God, What does the Bible say about money and wealth?, Wealth

2. Respect all people After saying "Love the Lord your God" is the most important of the commandments, Jesus continued,

The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (NIV, Mark 12:31)

The English word "love" has many different meanings, but the Greek word, agape, used in the New Testament, is commonly known as "Christian love." It means respect, affection, benevolence, good-will and concern for the welfare of the one loved.

In His Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus made the point that we should extend our Christian love to all people of the world, regardless of race, religion, nationality or any other artificial distinction. We must practice that Christian love even toward our enemies! (Matthew 5:43-48)

Jesus' Golden Rule is, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." We should not say or do anything unless we can answer "Yes" to the question, "Would I want that said or done to me?" Neither should we fail to do the good things we would expect of others.

Bible references: Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 7:12, 22:34-40, Mark 12:28-31, Luke 6:31, 10:25-28, John 13:34-35, Romans 13:8-10, 15:1-2, James 2:8 Other references: Love Your Neighbor as Yourself, What are the Greatest Commandment and the Parable of the Good Samaritan?, What Does the Bible Say About Love?

3. Be humble 21

Humility or being humble is a quality of being courteously respectful of others. It is the opposite of aggressiveness, arrogance, boastfulness, and vanity. Acting with humility does not in any way deny our own self worth. Rather, it affirms the inherent worth of all persons. Humility is exactly what is needed to live in peace and harmony with all persons. It dissipates anger and heals old wounds. It allows us to see the dignity and worth of all God's people. Humility distinguishes the wise leader from the arrogant power-seeker (Proverbs 17:7, Matthew 20:20-28).

Bible references: Matthew 5:5-9, 20:25-28, Mark 9:35, 1 Corinthians 10:24, Ephesians 4:1-6, Philippians 2:2-8, 2 Timothy 2:22-25, Other reference: Humility

4. Be honest Honesty and integrity are held as very important values throughout the Bible, and any deception to gain an advantage or harm another is prohibited by the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:16) and other Bible passages. Deception may be by false statements, half-truths, innuendo, or failing to tell the whole truth. It is all too common in advertising, business dealings, politics and everyday life. We must strongly resist the temptation to engage in any form of theft, cheating, deception, innuendo, slander or gossip.

Rationalization is a form of self-deception by which we convince ourselves that sinful actions are justified in order to achieve a good result, but this is really just another form of dishonesty (Galatians 6:7-8, James 1:26, 1 John 1:8). Holiness is in living by the commandments, not in achieving an end result (Matthew 4:8-10, 16:26). In Biblical teaching, the ends do not justify the means!

Bible references: Exodus 20:15, Leviticus 19:35-36, Deuteronomy 16:19-20, 25:13-16, Psalms 15:1-5, 24:3-5, Proverbs 10:9, 11:1, 11:3, 12:22, 16:28, 19:1, 20:10, 24:28, 28:6, 28:20, Isaiah 33:15-16, Zechariah 7:9, Mark 10:19, Luke 3:12-14, 16:10-12, 2 Corinthians 4:1-2, 2 Corinthians 7:2, 2 Corinthians 8:21, Ephesians 4:25, Philippians 4:8-9, Colossians 3:9, Hebrews 13:18, 1 Peter 2:12, 3:10

5. Live a moral life 22

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (NIV, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Jesus gave a list of actions that constitute immoral uses of the body: evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, arrogance and foolishness. The apostle Paul gave similar lists.

We often think of morality in terms of sexual sins, but according to Jesus, sins such as slander, greed, deceit, and arrogance are equally immoral.

Bible references: Exodus 20:1-17, Matthew 5:27-28, 15:18-19, Mark 7:20-22, 10:11-12, Romans 13:11-14, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Galatians 5:16-26, Ephesians 5:1-7, Colossians 3:5-10, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-9,

6. Be generous with time and money The Bible tells us to share generously with those in need, and good things will come to us in turn. Each of us has something to offer to someone in need. We can give our money and our time to charity, be a friend to someone who is sick or lonely, do volunteer work or choose a service-oriented occupation. We may give unselfishly of our time to our spouse, children or parents.

Bible references: Leviticus 19:9-10, 25:35-38, Deuteronomy 15:7-11, Proverbs 14:21, 28:27, Isaiah 58:10-11, Matthew 5:42, 6:1-2, 25:31-46, Luke 6:38, 12:33, 21:1-4, Acts 20:35, Romans 12:6-8, 2 Corinthians 9:5-7, Hebrews 13:1-3, 13:15-16, 1 Timothy 6:17-19, 1 John 3:17, Other references: What does the Bible say about Generosity and Duty to the Poor?, What Does the Bible Say About Using Time, Talents and Wealth?, What does the Bible say about Money and Wealth?

7. Practice what you preach; don't be a hypocrite 23

If there was any one group of people that Jesus couldn't stand, it was hypocrites! The Pharisees of Jesus' time were a religious and political party that insisted on very strict observance of Biblical laws on tithing, ritual purity and other matters. At the same time, many of the Pharisees forgot the true spirit and intent of the law and became self-indulgent, self-righteous, snobbish, and greedy. That led Jesus to remarks such as,

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. (NIV, Matthew 23:27-28)

It is not the things we say that really matter; it is the things that we do (Matthew 7:15-20). If we claim to be Christians but do not let Jesus' teachings guide our lives, we are nothing but hypocrites.

Bible references: Psalms 50:16-17, Isaiah 29:13-15, Jeremiah 7:1-11, Micah 3:11-12, Matthew 6:1-7, 7:1-5, 7:21-23, 15:7-9, 23:1-33, Luke 20:46-47, Romans 2:21-24, James 1:22-27, 2:14-24, 1 John 1:5-7, 2:3-6, 2:9, 4:19-21

8. Don't be self-righteous No one is perfect; we are all sinners in one way or another (Romans 3:23). Living a moral life means taking responsibility for controlling our own behavior. If we say or even think we are better than people we consider to be "sinners," we are guilty of the sin of self-righteousness. It is not our right to look down on, criticize, judge, condemn, or try to control other people. Judgment is to be left to God. Jesus said,

Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye. (NRSV, Matthew 7:1-5)

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This does not deny the right of governments to maintain law and order and collect taxes. Jesus and other New Testament leaders supported the authority of civil governments (Matthew 22:15-22, Romans 13:1-7).

Bible references: Proverbs 26:12, Isaiah 5:21, Matthew 7:1-5, 9:10-13, 18:10, Luke 6:32-42, 7:3650, 18:9-14, John 8:1-8, Romans 2:1-4, 3:23, 14:1, 14:10-12, 1 Corinthians 4:5, 13:1-7, 16:14, Galatians 6:1-3, James 2:12-13, 4:11-12, 1 John 1:8

9. Don't hold a grudge Jesus said there is no place for hatred, holding a grudge, revenge, retaliation or getting even in the life of a Christian:

You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. (NIV, Matthew 5:38-40)

You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (NIV, Matthew 5:43-45)

Bearing a grudge and seeking revenge are never appropriate responses to a perceived wrong. A grudge destroys the grudge-holder with bitterness, and revenge only escalates hostilities. Jesus told us we must reconcile with our adversaries, forgive their transgressions, and let go of the anger that may tempt us to commit an act of revenge.

Bible references: Leviticus 19:18, Psalms 37:8-9, Proverbs 10:12, 12:16, 15:1, 15:7, 19:11, 20:22, 24:29, Matthew 5:21-26, 5:43-48, Romans 12:17-21, 1 Corinthians 6:7-8, Ephesians 4:26, 4:31-32, Colossians 3:7-8, James 1:19-20, 1 Thessalonians 5:15, 1 Peter 3:9, 1 John 2:9-11, 4:19-21

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10. Forgive others

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. (NLT, Matthew 6:14-15)

God is merciful and forgives our sins and failings. In the same way, we must be merciful and forgive other people who sin against us or do us harm.

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What does the Bible Say about Christian Values and Christian Living?

A list of ten values or principles for living that are emphasized most strongly in the Bible.

The New Testament of the Bible tells of two kingdoms - the kingdom of this world and the kingdom of God.

The kingdom of this world is under the influence of Satan (Luke 4:5-6, John 14:30-31, 1 John 5:18-20, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4). The dominant values of the world include wealth, power, pleasure, revenge, fame, vanity and status. These things are most important to people who perceive no power or purpose beyond themselves. Worldly values promote jealousies, resentments and conflicts among people in accordance with the purposes of Satan (John 8:44, Acts 5:3, Romans 16:17-20, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 2:1-3, 4:25-32, 2 Timothy 2:22-26, 1 John 3:8-10) .

The kingdom of God (also known as the kingdom of heaven) is not a geographic location. It exists within the world among those people who put their faith, trust and loyalty in God (Luke 17:20-21). The values of the kingdom of God are often the opposite of worldly values: kindness and respect for all people instead of power; humility instead of status, fame and vanity; honesty and generosity instead of wealth; self-control instead of pleasure; forgiveness instead of revenge. Christian values promote peace and good will among people in accordance with the 26

purposes of God.

These are the things we strive for if we are sincere followers of Christ. We will never achieve perfection in this life, but those people who strive to obey God often find a sense of joy and peace that no worldly rewards can match!

1. Worship only God One day, a religious leader asked Jesus which of the commandments was most important:

"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' (NIV, Mark 12:28-30)

The Hebrews of Old Testament times tended to lapse into worship of pagan deities and statues of animals or other objects, but anything that takes the place of our devotion to God becomes an idol or false god, and that is forbidden by the first of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-6). Jesus particularly singled out love of wealth as a false god (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13), and other Bible passages mention greed, covetousness, arrogance, gluttony and pride as being equivalent to idolatry.

In today's world, many things compete against God for our devotion. These are some of the things that can become modern-day idolatry if we let them become too important to us:

Excessive attention to material things such as houses, cars, clothes, jewelry, physical appearance, entertainment, etc. Pursuit of wealth, power, fame, pleasure or status Excessive devotion to self, job, hobbies, country, ideologies, heroes, leaders, even family

Bible references: 1 Samuel 15:23, Matthew 6:31-34, 22:34-40, Mark 12:28-31, Luke 10:25-28, Acts 14:11-15, 1 Corinthians 10:14, Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:5, Colossians 3:5, Philippians 27

3:18-19, 1 Timothy 6:6-11, 6:17-20, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Hebrews 13:5, 1 Peter 4:1-6 Other references: Love the Lord Your God, What does the Bible say about money and wealth?, Wealth

2. Respect all people After saying "Love the Lord your God" is the most important of the commandments, Jesus continued,

The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (NIV, Mark 12:31)

The English word "love" has many different meanings, but the Greek word, agape, used in the New Testament, is commonly known as "Christian love." It means respect, affection, benevolence, good-will and concern for the welfare of the one loved.

In His Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus made the point that we should extend our Christian love to all people of the world, regardless of race, religion, nationality or any other artificial distinction. We must practice that Christian love even toward our enemies! (Matthew 5:43-48)

Jesus' Golden Rule is, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." We should not say or do anything unless we can answer "Yes" to the question, "Would I want that said or done to me?" Neither should we fail to do the good things we would expect of others.

Bible references: Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 7:12, 22:34-40, Mark 12:28-31, Luke 6:31, 10:25-28, John 13:34-35, Romans 13:8-10, 15:1-2, James 2:8 Other references: Love Your Neighbor as Yourself, What are the Greatest Commandment and the Parable of the Good Samaritan?, What Does the Bible Say About Love?

3. Be humble 28

Humility or being humble is a quality of being courteously respectful of others. It is the opposite of aggressiveness, arrogance, boastfulness, and vanity. Acting with humility does not in any way deny our own self worth. Rather, it affirms the inherent worth of all persons. Humility is exactly what is needed to live in peace and harmony with all persons. It dissipates anger and heals old wounds. It allows us to see the dignity and worth of all God's people. Humility distinguishes the wise leader from the arrogant power-seeker (Proverbs 17:7, Matthew 20:20-28).

Bible references: Matthew 5:5-9, 20:25-28, Mark 9:35, 1 Corinthians 10:24, Ephesians 4:1-6, Philippians 2:2-8, 2 Timothy 2:22-25, Other reference: Humility

4. Be honest Honesty and integrity are held as very important values throughout the Bible, and any deception to gain an advantage or harm another is prohibited by the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:16) and other Bible passages. Deception may be by false statements, half-truths, innuendo, or failing to tell the whole truth. It is all too common in advertising, business dealings, politics and everyday life. We must strongly resist the temptation to engage in any form of theft, cheating, deception, innuendo, slander or gossip.

Rationalization is a form of self-deception by which we convince ourselves that sinful actions are justified in order to achieve a good result, but this is really just another form of dishonesty (Galatians 6:7-8, James 1:26, 1 John 1:8). Holiness is in living by the commandments, not in achieving an end result (Matthew 4:8-10, 16:26). In Biblical teaching, the ends do not justify the means!

Bible references: Exodus 20:15, Leviticus 19:35-36, Deuteronomy 16:19-20, 25:13-16, Psalms 15:1-5, 24:3-5, Proverbs 10:9, 11:1, 11:3, 12:22, 16:28, 19:1, 20:10, 24:28, 28:6, 28:20, Isaiah 33:15-16, Zechariah 7:9, Mark 10:19, Luke 3:12-14, 16:10-12, 2 Corinthians 4:1-2, 2 Corinthians 7:2, 2 Corinthians 8:21, Ephesians 4:25, Philippians 4:8-9, Colossians 3:9, Hebrews 13:18, 1 Peter 2:12, 3:10

5. Live a moral life 29

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. (NIV, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Jesus gave a list of actions that constitute immoral uses of the body: evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, arrogance and foolishness. The apostle Paul gave similar lists.

We often think of morality in terms of sexual sins, but according to Jesus, sins such as slander, greed, deceit, and arrogance are equally immoral.

Bible references: Exodus 20:1-17, Matthew 5:27-28, 15:18-19, Mark 7:20-22, 10:11-12, Romans 13:11-14, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Galatians 5:16-26, Ephesians 5:1-7, Colossians 3:5-10, 1 Thessalonians 4:3-9,

6. Be generous with time and money The Bible tells us to share generously with those in need, and good things will come to us in turn. Each of us has something to offer to someone in need. We can give our money and our time to charity, be a friend to someone who is sick or lonely, do volunteer work or choose a service-oriented occupation. We may give unselfishly of our time to our spouse, children or parents.

Bible references: Leviticus 19:9-10, 25:35-38, Deuteronomy 15:7-11, Proverbs 14:21, 28:27, Isaiah 58:10-11, Matthew 5:42, 6:1-2, 25:31-46, Luke 6:38, 12:33, 21:1-4, Acts 20:35, Romans 12:6-8, 2 Corinthians 9:5-7, Hebrews 13:1-3, 13:15-16, 1 Timothy 6:17-19, 1 John 3:17, Other references: What does the Bible say about Generosity and Duty to the Poor?, What Does the Bible Say About Using Time, Talents and Wealth?, What does the Bible say about Money and Wealth?

7. Practice what you preach; don't be a hypocrite 30

If there was any one group of people that Jesus couldn't stand, it was hypocrites! The Pharisees of Jesus' time were a religious and political party that insisted on very strict observance of Biblical laws on tithing, ritual purity and other matters. At the same time, many of the Pharisees forgot the true spirit and intent of the law and became self-indulgent, self-righteous, snobbish, and greedy. That led Jesus to remarks such as,

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. (NIV, Matthew 23:27-28)

It is not the things we say that really matter; it is the things that we do (Matthew 7:15-20). If we claim to be Christians but do not let Jesus' teachings guide our lives, we are nothing but hypocrites.

Bible references: Psalms 50:16-17, Isaiah 29:13-15, Jeremiah 7:1-11, Micah 3:11-12, Matthew 6:1-7, 7:1-5, 7:21-23, 15:7-9, 23:1-33, Luke 20:46-47, Romans 2:21-24, James 1:22-27, 2:14-24, 1 John 1:5-7, 2:3-6, 2:9, 4:19-21

8. Don't be self-righteous No one is perfect; we are all sinners in one way or another (Romans 3:23). Living a moral life means taking responsibility for controlling our own behavior. If we say or even think we are better than people we consider to be "sinners," we are guilty of the sin of self-righteousness. It is not our right to look down on, criticize, judge, condemn, or try to control other people. Judgment is to be left to God. Jesus said,

Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye. (NRSV, Matthew 7:1-5)

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This does not deny the right of governments to maintain law and order and collect taxes. Jesus and other New Testament leaders supported the authority of civil governments (Matthew 22:15-22, Romans 13:1-7).

Bible references: Proverbs 26:12, Isaiah 5:21, Matthew 7:1-5, 9:10-13, 18:10, Luke 6:32-42, 7:3650, 18:9-14, John 8:1-8, Romans 2:1-4, 3:23, 14:1, 14:10-12, 1 Corinthians 4:5, 13:1-7, 16:14, Galatians 6:1-3, James 2:12-13, 4:11-12, 1 John 1:8

9. Don't hold a grudge Jesus said there is no place for hatred, holding a grudge, revenge, retaliation or getting even in the life of a Christian:

You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. (NIV, Matthew 5:38-40)

You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (NIV, Matthew 5:43-45)

Bearing a grudge and seeking revenge are never appropriate responses to a perceived wrong. A grudge destroys the grudge-holder with bitterness, and revenge only escalates hostilities. Jesus told us we must reconcile with our adversaries, forgive their transgressions, and let go of the anger that may tempt us to commit an act of revenge.

Bible references: Leviticus 19:18, Psalms 37:8-9, Proverbs 10:12, 12:16, 15:1, 15:7, 19:11, 20:22, 24:29, Matthew 5:21-26, 5:43-48, Romans 12:17-21, 1 Corinthians 6:7-8, Ephesians 4:26, 4:31-32, Colossians 3:7-8, James 1:19-20, 1 Thessalonians 5:15, 1 Peter 3:9, 1 John 2:9-11, 4:19-21

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10. Forgive others

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. (NLT, Matthew 6:14-15)

God is merciful and forgives our sins and failings. In the same way, we must be merciful and forgive other people who sin against us or do us harm. Bible references: Matthew 5:7, 18:21-35, Mark 11:25, Luke 17:3-4, Colossians 3:12-14, Ephesians 4:32

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Money

Luke 16:13 (NIV) "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

Mat 6:19-21 (TEB) "Do not save riches for yourselves here on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and robbers break in and steal. Instead, save riches for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and robbers cannot break in and steal. For your heart will always be where your riches are."

It is easy enough to "explain away" one or two verses to come to the conclusion we want. But what you are about to read is more than one or two verses: Scriptural teaching about money is clear, consistent, and radical. All is required, and the flesh must die to obey.

Be Content With Your Needs Being Met - Beware Of Materialism 33

Heb 13:5 (RSV) "Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have."

Ps 37:7,16 (NAS) Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way... Better is the little of the righteous than the abundance of many wicked.

Prov 23:4-5 (NIV) Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

The Test of Riches and The Test of Poverty

1 Sam 2:7 (NIV) The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts.

Prov 30:8-9 (NIV) ...Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, "Who is the Lord?" Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.

If poverty is accompanied by physical dangers, prosperity is accompanied by spiritual dangers. God will often move us through both for the purpose of testing us.

Phil 4:11-13 (Phi) ...For I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances may be. I know now how to live when things are difficult and I know how to live when things are prosperous. In general and in particular I have learned the secret of eating well or going hungry--of facing either plenty or poverty. I am ready for anything through the strength of the One who lives within me.

Phil 4:12 (NAS) I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going 34

hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.

Phil 4:12-13 (Jer) I know how to be poor and I know how to be rich, too. I have been through my initiation and now I am ready for anything anywhere: full stomach or empty stomach, poverty or plenty. There is nothing I cannot master with the help of the One who gives me strength.

Will We Follow if Jesus Asks Us to Enter Poverty For a Season?

Mark 10:21-27,31 (Jer) Jesus looked steadily at him and loved him, and he said, "There is one thing you lack. Go and sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." But his face fell at these words and he went away sad, for he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were astounded by these words, but Jesus insisted, "My children," he said to them, "how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." They were more astonished than ever. "In that case," they said to one another, "who can be saved?" Jesus gazed at them. "For men," he said, "it is impossible, but not for God: because everything is possible for God... Many who are first will be last, and the last first."

Is it likely, with all of his contacts and experience, that this man would have remained poor for long? And yet he was unwilling to obey Christ with all these advantages, even temporarily.

Loosening Your Grip

Acts 2:44-45 (Phi) All the believers joined together and shared everything in common; they sold their possessions and goods and divided the proceeds among the fellowship according to individual need.

Acts 4:32,34-35 (NIV) All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had... There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, 35

brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

God is calling all of us to let go of our possessions. We may even get to use them in the future if we "loosen our grip". If we do not do this willingly ourselves, God will. It is a sure sign that we are sons. We should thank the Lord when He wrenches a dangerous thing from our hands. Maybe we could even cooperate a little! If we don't, moths, rust, and thieves will do their job.

A.W. Tozer: "Never Own Anything--Get Rid Of The Sense Of Possessing!"

Luke 14:33 (Phi) "Only the man who says goodbye to all his possessions can be my disciple."

Luke 14:33 (TEB) Concluded Jesus, "none of you can be my disciple unless he gives up everything he has."

Luke 14:33 (RSV) "Whoever of you does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple."

Luke 3:11 (NIV) John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same."

Luke 6:30 (Jer) "Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your property back from the man who robs you."

Jesus Gives Investment Advice...

Luke 16:9-11 (Phi) "Now my advice to you is to use 'money', tainted as it is, to make yourselves friends, so that when it comes to an end, they may welcome you into the houses of eternity. The man who is faithful in the little things will be faithful in the big things. So that if you are not fit to be trusted to deal with the wicked wealth of this world, who will trust you with true riches?" 36

Play Money

Luke 16:9-12 (NIV) "I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings... If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own?"

Luke 14:12-14 (NIV) "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

Mat 6:24 (NIV) "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."

Luke 12:33 (NIV) "Sell your possessions and give to the poor... "

He Who Dies With The Most Toys... Loses!

Luke 12:15-21 (Phi) ..."Be on your guard against covetousness in any shape or form. For a man's real life in no way depends upon the number of his possessions... A rich man's farmland produced heavy crops. So he said to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have no room to store this harvest of mine?' Then he said, 'I know what I'll do. I'll pull down my barns and build bigger ones where I can store all my grain and my goods and I can say to my soul, Soul, you have plenty of good things stored up there for years to come. Relax! Eat, drink, and have a good time!' But God said to him, 'You fool, this very night you will be asked for YOUR SOUL!...' That is what happens to the man who hoards things for himself and is not rich in the eyes of God."

Luke 16:19-31 (NIV) "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in 37

luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus... The beggar died and angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died... In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up... 'I am in agony in this fire.' But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony...' 'Then I beg you... I have five brothers... warn them so that they will not come to this place of torment.' 'They have Moses and the Prophets, let them listen to them.'"

Ps 49:16-19 (NIV) Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him. Though while he lived he counted himself blessed--and men praise you when you prosper-he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of life.

Ecc 5:10-15 (NIV) Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them? The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep. I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner, or wealth lost through some misfortune... Naked a man comes from his mothers womb, and as he comes, so he departs...

Prov 11:4,28 (NIV) Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death... Whoever trusts in his riches will fall...

Money as An Insulation From God

Christians hope in eternal security, and God would have us give up "carnal security" to get it. The flesh wants the security of money. It wants to be in control, to be master, to "be god". So we dream of and cling to money because we don't want to be totally dependent on God...

Job 31:24-25,28 (NIV) [Job:] "If I have put my trust in gold or said to pure gold, 'You are my security,' if I have rejoiced over my great wealth, the fortune my hands had gained... then these also would be sins to be judged, for I would have been unfaithful to God on high." 38

Encore, Encore!

C.S. Lewis writes in Perelandra, "This itch to have things over again, as if life were a film that could be unrolled twice or even made to work backwards... was it possibly the root of all evil? No: of course the love of money was called that. But money itself--perhaps one valued it chiefly as a defense against chance, a security for being able to have things over again, a means of arresting the unrolling of the film."

Eze 28:2-10 (NAS) ..."Thus says the Lord God, 'Because your heart is lifted up and you have said, 'I am a God...' yet you are a man and not God, although you make your heart like the heart of God... You have acquired riches for yourself... and your heart is lifted up because of your riches-Therefore, behold, I will bring strangers upon you... and they will draw their swords... and defile your splendor... and you will die... Will you still say, 'I am a god,' in the presence of your slayer, although you are a man and not God, in the hands of those who wound you?'"

What in The World is Wrong With The Televangelists?

1 Thes 2:5 (Jer) ...Never at any time have our speeches been simply flattery or a cover for trying to get money.

2 Cor 2:17 (NEB) At least we do not go hawking the word of God about, as so many do...

2 Cor 2:17 (NIV) Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit.

2 Cor 2:17 (LB) We are not like those hucksters--and there are many of them--whose idea in getting out the Gospel is to make a good living out of it.

1 Tim 6:5 (Phi) ...among men of warped minds who have lost their real hold on the truth but 39

hope to make some profit out of the Christian religion.

1 Tim 6:5 (TEB) ...They think religion is a way to become rich.

1 Tim 6:5-9 (NIV) ...men, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.

1 Tim 6:10-12 (NIV) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves through with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

The Nobility of Poverty?

James 1:9-11 (Jer) It is right for the poor brother to be proud of his high rank, and the rich one to be thankful that he has been humbled, because riches last no longer than the flowers in the grass; the scorching sun comes up, and the grass withers, the flower falls; what looked so beautiful now disappears. It is the same with the rich man: his business goes on; he himself perishes.

James 1:9-11 (Phi) The brother who is in need may be proud because God has raised him to the true riches. The rich may be proud that God has shown him his spiritual poverty... Just as surely will the rich man and his ways fall into the blight of decay.

The Risks Of Wealth...

Mark 4:18-19 (Phi) "Then there are the seeds which were sown among the thorn bushes. These are the people who hear the message, but the worries of this world and the false glamour of 40

riches and all sorts of other ambitions creep in and choke the life out of what they have heard, and it produces no crop in their lives."

Luke 8:14 (Phi) "And the seed sown among the thorns represents the people who hear the message and go on their way, and with the worries and riches and pleasures of living, the life is choked out of them, and in the end they produce nothing."

Luke 9:25 (NIV) "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet lose or forfeit his very self?"

The Prosperity "Fat Cats" Bite The Dust...

Many of us have been fervently praying that God would turn the church upside down and vigorously shake it (Heb 12:25-29). When this happens, those who love money and have lost their grip on the truth will be the first to fall.

1 Cor 4:8-21 (NIV) Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have become kings--and that without us! How I wish you really had become kings so that we might be kings with you!.. We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless... Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world. I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children... I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with punishment, or in love and with a gentle spirit?

James 5:1-3,5 (TEB) And now, you rich people [see James 2:2-7], listen to me! Weep and wail over the miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches have rotted away, and your clothes have been eaten by moths. Your gold and silver are covered with rust, and this rust will be a witness against you, and eat up your flesh like fire. You have piled up riches in these last days... Your life here on earth has been full of luxury and pleasure. You have made yourselves fat for the day of slaughter. 41

Jer 5:27-29 (NIV) ..."They have become rich and powerful and have grown fat and sleek... they do not plead the case of the fatherless to win it, they do not defend the rights of the poor. Should I not punish them for this?" declares the Lord.

Advice on Security Investing

1 Tim 6:17-19 (Phi) Tell those who are rich in this present world not to be contemptuous of others, and not to rest the weight of their confidence on the transitory power of wealth but on the living God, who generously gives us everything for our enjoyment. Tell them to do good, to be rich in kindly actions, to be ready to give to others and to sympathize with those in distress. Their security should be invested in the life to come, so that they may be sure of holding a share in the life which is real and permanent.

Luke 12:29-34 (Phi) "You must not set your heart on what you eat or drink, nor must you live in a state of anxiety. The whole heathen world is busy about getting food and drink, and your Father knows well enough that you need such things. No, set your heart on his kingdom, and your food and drink will come as a matter of course... Sell your possessions and give the money away to those in need. Get yourselves purses that never grow old, inexhaustible treasure in Heaven, where no thief can ever reach it, or moth destroy it. For where your treasure is, you may be certain that your heart will be there too!"

1 Tim 6:8-10 (Phi) Surely then, as far as physical things are concerned, it is sufficient for us to keep our bodies fed and clothed. For men who set their hearts on being wealthy expose themselves to temptation. They fall into a trap and lay themselves open to all sorts of silly and wicked desires, which are quite capable of utterly ruining and destroying their souls. For loving money leads to all kinds of evil, and some men in the struggle to be rich have lost their faith and caused themselves untold agonies of mind.

Jer 9:23-24 (NAS) Thus says the Lord, "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom... let not a rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this, that he understands and knows Me... "

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Now You Know...

1 Jn 3:16-18 (Phi) We know what love is because Christ laid down his life for us. We must in turn lay down our lives for our brothers. But as for the well-to-do man who sees his brother in want but shuts his heart against him, how could anyone believe that the love of God lives in him? My Children, let us love not merely in theory or in words--let us love in sincerity and in practice! (2 Cor 8:9)

Luke 12:47-48 (NIV) "That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."

Prov 28:20 (NIV) The faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.

Rev 3:17-19 (Phi) [Jesus] "While you say, 'I am rich, I have prospered, and there is nothing that I need,' you have no eyes to see that you are wretched, pitiable, poverty-stricken, blind and naked. My advice to you is to buy from me that gold which is refined in the furnace so that you may be rich, and white garments to wear so that you may hide the shame of your nakedness, and salve to put on your eyes to make you see. All those whom I love I correct and discipline. Therefore, shake off your complacency and repent."

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Commitment to a Christ-like Life: Philippians 3:12-21

A better Christ-like life is possible, we noted in yesterdays reflection. How do we move from where we are to that better place? A look at todays passage points the way: 43

Vs. 12: not that I have already attained all this. Paul knows how far he has come, but knows he also has further mileage to cover to become victorious in Christ. Most of us are great Bible readers, worshippers, prayers and church goers, but we put little effort to getting to know ourselves. If we do not know who we are, we will not see the need for change. As a ministry assistant at the church, I have discovered that most problems are very easy to solve, and that the solutions make all the difference. Usually the problem is that I do not know that a problem exists in the first place until I pay attention to the details! Be aware of yourself, your surroundings, how you relate to people, how you relate to Christ, and then you will discover areas in which you need grow. Like Peter, be a learner; turn yourself into fertile ground for Christ to work in. In my case, Im amazingly discovering that even spiritual answers are available to me out of all the cumulative years of walking with Christ and his people. I just need to consciously ask the right questions and pay attention for the answers.

Once you know yourself, then you know the difference you wish see in your life. This is already spelt out through the life of Christ, his faithful followers like and numerous scripture passages. Philippians 2: 15 ff says we are to be blameless, pure, children of God without fault in a crooked generation in which you shine like stars

I press on to take hold of that which Christ took hold of if you know the change you want, take intentional steps towards the vision of your new self. Now, the problem with our day is just the sheer number of attractions and distractions that demand attention. But just in the same way we have to be disciplined to eat healthy, sleep, exercise or make financial savings, so do we need to be disciplined in taking steps to grow to be like Christ.

Some steps are obvious: read scripture consistently, be faithful to your small group, pray regularly and so on. Some steps require that we make a sacrificial resolves like Daniel, Shadrack, Meshack and Abenego (Dan 1:8)ditch your tv and movies, break fellowship with bad friends. Some steps may need to be more intense, like reading relevant literature in your area of growth, or seek professional counseling. I once knew a Christian who was so insecure in his relationships that he could be demanding and manipulative. Since he was a good reader, I gave him the book, When people are big and God is small by Edward Welch. The change in him was almost instantaneous as reading opened up the path of self understanding and maturity in Christ likeness. Whatever it takes, press on to become more Christ like.

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Join with others in following my example Whatever steps you take, take them in the context of relationships that model of a walking with Christ. Find people that will spur you to godliness. Hebrews says that we are surrounded by a great crowd of witnesses. Pauls life as seen through Philippians has modeled for us how we are to grow in Christ likeness. There is consistency of his teaching, attitude, thought and action. These are are kind of people you should sorround yourself with. Significant personal and reciprocal relationships are a very powerful influence in keeping us on the track of Christ likeness. I have been blessed with a few of these throughout my Christian life.

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"THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS"

Essentials For Living The Christ-Like Life (4:2-6)

INTRODUCTION

1. In the last two chapters in his epistle to the Colossians, Paul exhorts them to live the kind of life that demonstrates their faith in Jesus Christ as the "All-Sufficient And Pre-Eminent Savior" a. In Col 3:1-11, he describes the "basics" of Christian living b. In Col 3:12-17, he describes the Christians' "apparel" c. And in Col 3:18-4:1, he discusses "guidelines" to govern Christian families

2. Prior to making his closing comments, he now gives three exhortations to his brethren that I am calling in this lesson, "Essentials To 45

Living The Christ-Like Life"

[Beginning in Col 4:2-4, then, the Colossians as well as all Christians are exhorted to...]

I. CONTINUE IN PRAYER (2-4)

A. PRAYER THAT IS "FAITHFUL"... 1. As Paul writes, "continue earnestly in prayer" a. Just as he wrote to the Romans - Ro 12:12 b. And also to the Thessalonians - 1Th 5:17 2. That people faithfully continue in prayer was a concern of our Lord as well a. He taught a parable the men always ought to pray - Lk 18:1 b. He was concerned that when He returned, He might not find faith on the earth! - Lk 18:8 3. We have several wonderful examples to serve as role models... a. David, a man after God's own heart - Ps 55:16-17 b. Daniel, a man greatly beloved by God - Dan 6:10 c. Anna, an elderly widow blessed to see the Christ-child - Lk 2:36-38 d. Of course, Paul himself- Col 1:9 e. And also Epaphras, himself a member of the church at Colosse - Col 4:12 4. Many people pray only when there is a crisis - may that not be 46

true of us!

B. PRAYER THAT IS "WATCHFUL"... 1. Or as Paul put it in our text, "be vigilant in it" 2. On several occasions, Jesus warned His disciples to be watchful in prayer - Mt 13:32-33; Mt 26:41 3. So His apostles warn us... a. Paul, in Ep 6:18 b. Peter, in 1 Pet 4:7 4. Through "watchful" praying, we will not be caught unprepared by: a. Satan, and the temptation to sin b. Death, and the judgment to follow c. Christ, and the glories for those who are ready when He comes again

C. PRAYER THAT IS "THANKFUL"... 1. "with thanksgiving", Paul says 2. Throughout his epistle to the Colossians, there has been an emphasis on being thankful - Col 1:3,12; 2:7; 3:15,17; 4:2 3. As someone said, "We should thank God just as diligently in our prayers as we make requests of Him." - cf. also Php 4:6 4. Let's be sure to "abound with thanksgiving"! a. Especially in light of Ro 1:21 b. Where we see that ingratitude was one reason why God's wrath 47

was being revealed from heaven!

D. PRAYER THAT IS "PURPOSEFUL"... 1. As Paul requested of his brethren in Colosse, "praying also for us..." 2. Prayers are often too general in their requests, lacking specific purpose 3. But as here in our text, Paul often asked for specific prayers in his behalf - e.g., Ro 15:30-32 4. From our text in Colossians and elsewhere, what specific requests can we make for those preach and teach God's Word? a. Opportunity ("an open door") - Col 4:3; cf. 2Th 3:1 b. Wisdom ("as I ought to speak") - Col 4:4 c. Boldness - Ep 6:19-20

[As we endeavor to live the Christ-like life, make the right kind of prayer a crucial element! Prayer that is:

* faithful * watchful * thankful * purposeful

The exhortation in verse 5 of our text is also crucial to living a Christ-like life, especially when among those who are not Christians...] 48

II. WALK IN WISDOM (5)

A. CHRISTIANS NEED TO BE CONCERNED WITH HOW THEY "WALK"... 1. In other words, how they conduct themselves 2. We are to walk in wisdom especially "toward those who are outside" a. By proper conduct, we can influence them for good - e.g., 1Pe 3:1-2 b. The world is constantly making judgments concerning us by our conduct, and according to Jesus, this is their privilege - cf. Jn 13:35; 17:20-21

B. ANOTHER REASON SUCH WISDOM IS IMPERATIVE IS "TIME"... 1. To be exact, the lack of time! - cf. Ep 5:15-17 a. The time we have in this life is short b. We cannot afford to waste much of it through foolishness c. And there are some people who need Christ whose time left on this earth is even shorter than ours! 2. So we need to "redeem" the time; i.e., make the most of the time we have

[Finally, as we consider these "Essentials To Living The Christ-Like Life" found in our text, let's remember that it was said of Jesus that people... 49

"...marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth." (Lk 4:22)

As His disciples, we should also...]

III. SPEAK WITH GRACE (6)

A. THE POWER OF THE TONGUE IS VIVIDLY ILLUSTRATED IN JAMES 3... 1. It effects the entire body - Jm 3:2 2. It can have great destructive power - Jm 3:6 3. It is inconsistent for us to use it for both good and evil - Jm 3:9-12

B. THEREFORE WE NEED TO LEARN TO SPEAK "WITH GRACE"... 1. As Paul also commanded in Ep 5:29 a. No corrupt communication is to proceed out of our mouths b. Only that which edifies, imparting "grace to the hearers" 2. Our speech is to be "seasoned with salt" a. Not to be confused with the "salty language" of some sailors! b. But rather speech properly flavored so that it well received by others 3. We especially need to watch our language around those who are NOT Christians 50

a. "that you may know how to answer each one" - Col 4:6 b. "a servant of the Lord must not quarrel..." - 2Ti 2:23-26 4. Are we as careful with our own speech, as we want others to be with their lives? a. Do we, who claim to be the disciples of Jesus Christ... b. ...speak the words of truth that come by Him in the same gracious manner He did?

CONCLUSION

1. These three simple exhortations, if truly heeded, can have a powerful impact on our lives: a. Our "prayer life" will likely be very different! b. Our "walk" (conduct) will be noted for its wisdom c. Our "speech" will be a source of encouragement to others

2. This is the essence of following Jesus Christ! To allow Him to so live in us that by God's grace we experience a transformation that affects every aspect of our lives!

Speaking of the GRACE of God, have you taken advantage of what TIME it is...? (cf. 2Co 6:1-2)

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On Living The Christ Like Life

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippian church, Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus. That simple phrase gives a lot of food for thought and study. What exactly WAS the attitude that Christ Jesus had? How can we ourselves have that same attitude?

The passage goes on to say, 6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. 7 Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, 8 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of deatheven to death on a cross. (Philippians 2:6-7)

Now right there is enough to meditate on for some time to come, to say the least. What exactly did Christ Jesus give up? Knowing what His state was before coming to earth as a tiny infant helps us to understand what He emptied Himself means. And if He emptied Himself from all that He was before coming to earth to live amongst us what do we have to hold on to? Why is it so hard for us to empty ourselves of the filthy scraps of humanity that bind us?

All too often we want to tell God Do things OUR way!. Today there is a movement around the globe of folks who think they can tell God what to do. They say that its faith when they declare things in the name of Christ. And yet they are so full of their own preconceived ideas that too often they dont stop to ask, What exactly IS Gods will? By thinking with worldly and carnal minds they believe that God is so concerned with our physical well being that our spiritual well being is of little or no importance.

Is it so hard to know the will of God? No, not really. Not if we offer up our bodies as a living sacrifice, not conforming ourselves to the worlds way of thinking but being transformed to Gods way of thinking by renewing our minds. People get so caught up on physical needs that they forget that Christ came to heal us from our spiritual sickness. Does this mean that God doesnt care about our physical needs? OF COURSE NOT! It DOES mean, however, that He is MORE concerned with our spiritual sickness, with our sin. It is our sin, after all, that separates us from Him. 52

Does God heal our bodies? Yes He does. Can He provide abundantly for our physical needs? Yes He can. Does He have power over evil spirits? There is no doubt! And yet folks get caught up chasing after these things and forgetting that the most important thing of all is to restore a right relationship with the Creator. It isnt our ill health or poverty that separates us from God it is our abject spiritual failure that opens a chasm between God and man.

If we would live like Christ then we must think like Christ. If we want to think like Christ we have to learn to look upon the world like Christ did. Did He heal the sick? Yes. Did He feed the hungry? Yes He did! Did He give sight to the blind? Many times! But what brought Him to tears? What caused Him to weep and lament? Two times stand out in my mind as I type this little note. One was at Lazarus tomb. Two words that so many kids have recited for VBS over the centuries because they are the shortest verse in the New Testament. Jesus wept. and He was standing outside of the tomb of Lazarus, knowing that He was about to raise him from the dead. And yet He wept. Why? I believe it was because of the pain felt by those around Him. And perhaps it was because they did not yet know of the hope of the resurrection. At any rate, He shared their sorrow even as He prepared to bring Lazarus back to his family for a time.

And the other time was when He lamented over Jerusalem knowing that they would soon be calling for His blood, and knowing that they would NOT turn to God but would continue to their destruction because they refused to seek Gods paths instead of their own. Their very religiosity caused them to shun the One who had come to them. They did not recognize Emmanuel because He didnt live up to their expectations expectations based on THIS world that is doomed to destruction rather than on hope of new life in God and a right relationship with Him which will prepare us for the new place He is preparing for us in which we can live with justice.

Living the Christian life is not about just the physical. Jesus said, Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord! will enter the kingdom of heaven, but [only] the one who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to Me, Lord, Lord, didnt we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name? 23 Then I will announce to them, I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers! (Matthew 7:21-23) So we see that merely prophesying, performing miracles and casting out demons is not what the Lord is looking for. Hes looking for the those who do the will of My Father in heaven. The two things are not necessarily exclusive. The Scripture is clear about the power that God has in our lives by means of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. But prophecy and miracles and casting out demons are not evidence of the indwelling of the Spirit. And that is where so many go wrong. 53

They seek miraculous manifestations rather than settling down to produce fruit the Fruit of the Spirit. Ive seen the Lord work in marvelous ways. Im not confused when He heals or does things I can not explain. But neither do I rely on those things for evidence that He is with me. It is when I see His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness and self-control growing in my life I know He is with me transforming me into the image of Christ as He renews my mind, my way of thinking.

If you would live the Christ like life think Christ like thoughts. Allow your heart to break over the sin and depravity of mankind. Seek not just to heal the sick and provide for the needy bring people into a right relationship with God through Jesus the Christ Who is the only Way to the Father.

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Holy Spirit Ministries Food Basket /Canadian Christian Ministries

Is A Non Profit Ministry and A Non Denominational Ministry E - mail:httpholyspiritministriesfoodbasket@gmx.com Web Site:http://holyspiritministriesfoodbasket.WebStarts.com/index.html

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