In Luke 13, Jesus was approached with two questions from people who are a lot like folks, today. When bad things happen to good people, some will conclude that they must not have been living right. Judgment is passed and conversation is always turned on those people to avert attention away from themselves. It may…
We continue to emphasize the principle of doing the right thing regardless if it’s popular or not returned to me. We have already looked at the statement in Romans 12 that tells us “as much as lieth in us, live peaceably with all men. In this same context, much is said about loving others and…
Galatians 6:1-4 reads, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own…
Paul writes of “giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited or blamed” in 2 Corinthians 6:3. Then, in Romans 14, he writes that he would not ever eat meat if it caused his brother to stumble. “Offence” as used that text concerns doing anything to cause a…
1 Corinthians 6 reads, “Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteous and not before the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute…
1 Timothy 5:3-8 reads, “Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow has children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in…
One of the more difficult things to do in life is to preach to people whose heart is hardened and never intend to change. This is not a new problem. Consider what Jeremiah had to face. Jeremiah 7:22-27 reads, “For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought…
“If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men” (Romans 12:18). Please, observe that Paul recognizes that to do the right thing may not always produce the desires result. As much as we can control, we must be peaceful and work toward peace with all. There are times…
Peter writes, “… having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame (1 Peter 3:16). Paul describes the effect younger widows have on the adversary when they move around from house to house as busybodies. He writes, “And besides that, going…
Romans 13:1-7 reads, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to…