{"id":4638,"date":"2021-08-19T15:58:26","date_gmt":"2021-08-19T20:58:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/heavens-beauty.info\/wp-hb\/?page_id=4638"},"modified":"2025-06-12T14:44:43","modified_gmt":"2025-06-12T19:44:43","slug":"how-we-are-to-act-as-christians-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/heavens-beauty.info\/wp-hb\/?page_id=4638","title":{"rendered":"How We Are To Act as Christians 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Show<\/span><\/p>\n

How We Are To Act as Christians!<\/span><\/p>\n

You never know, just who sees, you acting like Christians are to, you just may lead someone to Jesus, that really needed that kindness, or that smile, or just a word of hope. I made this list several years ago, when I was doing Bible Research for a book I was going to write, but never got that far. So look at the list below, and see how we should act! They all are not in alphabetical Order, so bare with me \ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/p>\n

This is Part 2 of “How We Are to Act” as Christians! I am on several Social Media Networks and mostly on MeWe and Telegram, and I hear the way Christians speak and how they speak and talk and I am so amazed on their language and attitudes.<\/span><\/p>\n

I am in hopes this will help other’s better Understand just “How We Are to Act.”<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

It’s not filthy language, it’s not attitudes, it’s not of hate and discord, wishing someone would die etc. If, you happen to know anyone like this and claim to be a Christian Please share these Pages with them.<\/span><\/p>\n

You never know, just who sees, you acting like Christians are to, you just may lead someone to Jesus, that really needed that kindness, or that smile, or just a word of hope. I made this list several years ago, when I was doing Bible Research for a book I was going to write, but never got that far. So look at the list below, and see how we should act! They all are not in alphabetical Order, so bare with me \ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/p>\n

There is not one person who is perfect, and anyone who says they are, the Bible says they are a Liar! I’m not perfect at and by no means, and I never claim to be. Only Jesus Christ is the Most Perfect High God!!<\/span><\/p>\n

But there are ways the Bible clearly shows,\u00a0“How We can Strive to Be.”<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0“Provided Reference Verses”<\/span> given are NOT in Order, and I am sorry for that. This one I believe was one of the longest ones I’ve done, except for 370 Sins in The Bible, so please bare with me and understand I am trying lol \ud83d\ude42<\/span><\/p>\n

Part 1<\/a>\u00a0 Part 2<\/a>\u00a0 Part 3<\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0Part 4<\/a>\u00a0 Part 5\u00a0<\/a> Part 6\u00a0<\/a> Part 7<\/a>\u00a0 Part 8<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

E – F<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

How to Act<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Meaning of the Statement<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Verse’s<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Endurance<\/span><\/p>\n

WHY IS ENDURANCE AN IMPORTANT SPIRITUAL QUALITY?<\/span><\/p>\n

ENDURANCE REQUIRES PREPARATION<\/span><\/p>\n

ENDURANCE GROWS OUT OF COMMITMENT TO JESUS CHRIST<\/span><\/p>\n

ENDURANCE IS THE MEANS TO JOY IN CHRIST<\/span><\/p>\n

GOD WILL MAKE OUR ENDURANCE WORTHWHILE<\/span><\/p>\n

OUR ENDURANCE IS RELATED TO THE QUALITY OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Faith enables Christians to face trials<\/span>.<\/span> Genuine faith includes the commitment to stay true to God when we are under fire. Endurance builds character and leads to victory. Importance: We can have victory in our trials if we don\u2019t give up or turn our back on Christ. Stay true to Christ and pray for endurance.\u00a0 And everyone will hate you because of your allegiance to me. But those who endure to the end will be saved. Jesus told the disciples that when arrested for preaching the gospel, they should not worry about what to say in their defense-God\u2019s Spirit would speak through them.<\/span><\/p>\n

This promise was fulfilled in\u00a0 and elsewhere. Some mistakenly think this means we don\u2019t have to prepare to present the gospel because God will take care of everything. Scripture teaches, however, that we are to make carefully prepared, thoughtful statements. Jesus is not telling us to stop preparing, but to stop worrying. Jesus predicted that his followers would be severely persecuted by those who hated what he stood for. In the midst of terrible persecutions, however, they could have hope, knowing that salvation was theirs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Times of trial serve to sift true Christians from false or fair-weather Christians. When you are pressured to give up and turn your back on Christ, don\u2019t do it. Remember the benefits of standing firm, and continue to live for Christ. Standing firm to the end is not a way to be saved but the evidence that a person is really committed to Jesus.<\/span><\/p>\n

Persistence is not a means to earn salvation; it is the by-product of a truly devoted life.<\/span><\/p>\n

But Christ, the faithful Son, was in charge of the entire household. And we are God\u2019s household, if we keep up our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ. Because Christ lives in us as believers, we can remain courageous and hopeful to the end. We are not saved by being steadfast and firm in our faith, but our courage and hope reveal that our faith is real. Without this enduring faithfulness, we could easily be blown away by the winds of temptation, false teaching, or persecution. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at bringing others to Christ. Complete the ministry God has given you. To keep cool when you are jarred and jolted by people or circumstances, don\u2019t react quickly. In any work of ministry that you undertake, keeping your head makes you morally alert to temptation, resistant to pressure, and vigilant when facing heavy responsibility. As he neared the end of his life, Paul could confidently say he had been faithful to his call. Thus he faced death calmly, knowing that he would be rewarded by Christ. Is your life preparing you for death? Do you share Paul\u2019s confident expectation of meeting Christ?<\/span><\/p>\n

The Good News is that the heavenly reward is not just for giants of the faith, like Paul, but for all who are eagerly looking forward to Jesus\u2019 second coming. Paul gave these words to encourage Timothy, and us, to keep fighting-no matter how difficult the fight seems. When we are with Jesus Christ, we will discover that it was all worth it. Let this encourage God\u2019s holy people to endure persecution patiently and remain firm to the end, obeying his commands and trusting in Jesus.\u00a0 This news about God\u2019s ultimate triumph should encourage God\u2019s people to remain firm through every trial and persecution.<\/span><\/p>\n

They can do this, God promises, by trusting in Jesus and obeying the commands in his Word.<\/span><\/b> The secret to enduring, therefore, is trust and obedience. Trust God to give you patience to endure even the small trials you face daily; obey him, even when obedience is unattractive or dangerous.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n
    \n
  • Matthew 10:16-42<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Matthew 10:22<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Colossians 4:6<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Acts 4:8-14<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Hebrews 3:1-6<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 2 Timothy 4:1-8<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 2 Timothy 4:5<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Revelation 14:1-20<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Revelation 14:12<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

     <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Forgiving Other’s<\/span><\/p>\n

REAL FORGIVENESS FOLLOWS GOD\u2019S PATTERN<\/span><\/p>\n

GOD\u2019S FORGIVENESS HOW CAN WE EXPERIENCE GOD\u2019S FORGIVENESS?<\/span><\/p>\n

EXPERIENCING GOD\u2019S FORGIVENESS COMES THROUGH CONFESSION AND REPENTANCE<\/span><\/p>\n

WE CAN BE CONFIDENT THAT OUR SINS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN IN CHRIST<\/span><\/p>\n

GOD CONSISTENTLY FORGIVES US EACH TIME WE ASK IN REPENTANCE<\/span><\/p>\n

FORGIVENESS IS COMPLETE EVEN WHEN CONFESSION ISN\u2019T<\/span><\/p>\n

HONEST CONFESSION INCLUDES TURNING AWAY FROM SIN<\/span><\/p>\n

CONFESSION REESTABLISHES RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD<\/span><\/p>\n

HUMAN FORGIVENESS WHY SHOULD WE FORGIVE ONE ANOTHER AND HOW CAN WE DO IT?<\/span><\/p>\n

JOSEPH IS A MODEL OF GENUINE FORGIVENESS<\/span><\/p>\n

FORGIVENESS IS A MARK OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE<\/span><\/p>\n

FORGIVENESS IS CONTRARY TO THE PATTERN OF THE WORLD.<\/span><\/p>\n

FORGIVENESS IS AN ACT OF THE WILL<\/span><\/p>\n

IF WE EXPECT TO BE FORGIVEN, WE NEED TO PRACTICE FORGIVENESS<\/span><\/p>\n

REAL FORGIVENESS DOES NOT KEEP TRACK OF OFFENSES<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Many psalms are intense prayers asking God for forgiveness. God forgives us when we confess our sin and turn from it.<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Importance:<\/b> Because God forgives us, we can pray to him honestly and directly. When we receive his forgiveness, we move from alienation to intimacy, from guilt to love. God stood ready to forgive and restore all those who would come to him and turn away from sin. God wanted to shower his people with his love and restore them to a proper relationship with him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Importance:<\/b> Forgiveness comes by turning from sin and turning toward God.<\/span> It is not too late to receive God\u2019s forgiveness<\/span>. God\u2019s greatest desire is for you to come to him. Philemon was Paul\u2019s friend and the legal owner of the slave Onesimus. Paul asked him not to punish Onesimus but to forgive and restore him as a new Christian brother.<\/span><\/p>\n

Importance:<\/b> Christian relationships must be full of forgiveness and acceptance. Can you forgive those who have wronged you?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For I recognize my shameful deeds-they haunt me day and night. This psalm was David\u2019s written confession to God after a particularly sinful episode in his life. David was truly sorry for his adultery with Bathsheba and for murdering her husband to cover it up. He knew that his actions had hurt many people. But because David repented of those sins, God mercifully forgave him. No sin is too great to be forgiven! Do you feel that you could never come close to God because you have done something terrible? God can and will forgive you of any sin. While God forgives us, however, he does not always erase the natural consequences of our sin-David\u2019s life and family were never the same as a result of what he had done.\u00a0 If you forgive anyone\u2019s sins, they are forgiven. If you refuse to forgive them, they are unforgiven.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus was giving the disciples their Spirit-powered and Spirit-guided mission-to preach the Good News about Jesus so people\u2019s sins might be forgiven<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The disciples did not have the power to forgive sins (only God can forgive sins)<\/span><\/b>,<\/span> but Jesus gave them the privilege of telling new believers that their sins have been forgiven because they have accepted Jesus\u2019 message. All believers have this same privilege. We can announce the forgiveness of sin with certainty when we find repentance and faith. Now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.<\/span><\/p>\n

John describes these few moments in clear detail. We can see that Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen. He knew about Judas and about Peter, but he did not change the course of events, nor did he stop loving them. In the same way, Jesus knows exactly what you will do to hurt him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yet he still loves you unconditionally and will forgive you whenever you ask for it. Judas couldn\u2019t understand this, and his life ended tragically. Peter understood, and despite his shortcomings, his life ended triumphantly because he never let go of his faith in the one who loved him.\u00a0 If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.<\/span><\/p>\n

Confession is supposed to free us to enjoy fellowship with Christ.<\/span><\/b> It should ease our consciences and lighten our cares. But some Christians do not understand how it works. They feel so guilty that they confess the same sins over and over; then they wonder if they might have forgotten something. Other Christians believe that God forgives them when they confess, but if they died with unconfessed sins, they would be forever lost. These Christians do not understand that God wants to forgive us. He allowed his beloved Son to die just so he could pardon us. When we come to Christ, he forgives all the sins we have committed or will ever commit.<\/span><\/p>\n

We don\u2019t need to confess the sins of the past all over again, and we don\u2019t need to fear that God will reject us if we don\u2019t keep our slate perfectly clean. Of course we should continue to confess our sins, but not because failure to do so will make us lose our salvation. Our relationship with Christ is secure. Instead, we should confess our sins so that we can enjoy maximum fellowship and joy with him.<\/span><\/p>\n

True confession also involves a commitment not to continue in sin.<\/span><\/p>\n

We wouldn\u2019t be genuinely confessing our sins to God if we planned to commit them again and just wanted temporary forgiveness. We should also pray for strength to defeat temptation the next time we face it. If God has forgiven us for our sins because of Christ\u2019s death, why must we confess our sins? In admitting our sins and receiving Christ\u2019s cleansing, we are:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • agreeing with God that our sin truly was sin and that we are willing to turn from it,<\/span><\/li>\n
  • ensuring that we don\u2019t conceal our sins from him and consequently, from ourselves, and<\/span><\/li>\n
  • recognizing our tendency to sin and relying on his power to overcome it.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Don\u2019t be angry with yourselves that you did this to me, for God did it. He sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Joseph was rejected, kidnapped, enslaved, and imprisoned. Although his brothers had been unfaithful to him, he graciously forgave them and shared his prosperity. Joseph demonstrated how God forgives us and showers us with goodness even though we have sinned against him. The same forgiveness and blessings are ours if we ask for them. Don\u2019t let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Summarize the real core of Christian living. If we love someone the way Christ loves us, we will be willing to forgive. If we have experienced God\u2019s grace, we will want to pass it on to others. And remember, grace is undeserved favor. By giving an enemy a drink, we\u2019re not excusing his misdeeds.<\/span><\/p>\n

    We\u2019re recognizing him, forgiving him, and loving him in spite of his sins-just as Christ did for us. In this day of constant lawsuits and incessant\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    demands for legal rights, Paul\u2019s command sounds almost impossible. When someone hurts you deeply, instead of giving him what he deserves, Paul says to befriend him. Why does Paul tell us to forgive our enemies?<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Forgiveness may break a cycle of retaliation and lead to mutual reconciliation.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • It may make the enemy feel ashamed and change his or her ways.<\/span><\/li>\n
    • By contrast, returning evil for evil hurts you just as much as it hurts your enemy. Even if your enemy never repents, forgiving him or her will free you of a heavy load of bitterness.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Forgiveness involves both attitudes and actions.<\/span><\/p>\n

      If you find it difficult to feel forgiving of those who have hurt you, try responding with kind actions. If appropriate, tell such people that you would like to heal your relationships. Give them a helping hand. Send them a gift. Smile at them. Many times you will discover that right actions lead to right feelings.<\/span><\/p>\n

      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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Jesus gives a startling warning about forgiveness: if we refuse to forgive others, God will also refuse to forgive us. Why? Because when we don\u2019t forgive others, we are denying our common ground as sinners in need of God\u2019s forgiveness. God\u2019s forgiveness of sin is not the direct result of our forgiving others, but it is based on our realizing what forgiveness means\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      It is easy to ask God for forgiveness, but difficult to grant it to others.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Whenever we ask God to forgive us for sin, we should ask ourselves, Have I forgiven the people who have wronged me? Peter came to him and asked, \u201cLord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?\u201d<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

      The rabbis taught that people should forgive those who offend them-but only three times. Peter, trying to be especially generous, asked Jesus if seven (the \u201cperfect\u201d number)<\/span><\/b> was enough times to forgive someone.<\/span><\/p>\n

      But Jesus answered, \u201cSeventy times seven,\u201d<\/span> <\/span>meaning that we shouldn\u2019t even keep track of how many times we forgive someone. We should always forgive those who are truly repentant, no matter how many times they ask. Because God has forgiven all our sins, we should not withhold forgiveness from others. Realizing how completely Christ has forgiven us should produce a free and generous attitude of forgiveness toward others. When we don\u2019t forgive others, we are setting ourselves outside and above Christ\u2019s law of love.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n
    \n
  • Psalm 51:1-19<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Psalm 51:3<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 2 Samuel 12:1-23<\/span><\/li>\n
  • John 13:31-38<\/span><\/li>\n
  • John 20:19-31<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 1 John 1:1-10<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Genesis 45:1-28<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Romans 12:1-21<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Romans 17-21<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Ephesians 4:32<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Matthew 6:5-15<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Matthew 6:14-15<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Matthew 18:21-35<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Matthew 18:21<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

     <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Faithfulness<\/span><\/p>\n

WHAT EXAMPLES OF FAITHFULNESS DO WE FIND IN THE BIBLE?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0IN THE MIDST OF DESPAIR, JEREMIAH CLUNG TO GOD\u2019S FAITHFULNESS<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0FAITHFULNESS SHOULD BE CHARACTERISTIC OF GOD\u2019S PEOPLE<\/span><\/p>\n

GOD ALWAYS HAS A REMNANT OF FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. Jeremiah saw one ray of hope in all the sin and sorrow surrounding him: \u201cThe unfailing love of the Lord never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction.\u201d<\/span> Jeremiah knew from personal experience about God\u2019s faithfulness.<\/span><\/p>\n

God had promised that punishment would follow disobedience, and it did. But God also had promised future restoration and blessing, and Jeremiah knew that God would keep that promise also. Trusting in God\u2019s faithfulness day by day makes us confident in his great promises for the future.<\/span><\/p>\n

God willingly responds with help when we ask.<\/span><\/b> Perhaps there is some sin in your life that you thought God would not forgive. God\u2019s steadfast love and mercy are greater than any sin, and he promises forgiveness.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus used salt to illustrate three qualities that should be found in his people:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • We should remember God\u2019s faithfulness, just as salt used with a sacrifice recalled God\u2019s covenant with his people.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • We should make a difference in the \u201cflavor\u201d<\/b> of the world we live in, just as salt changes meat\u2019s flavor.<\/span><\/li>\n
  • We should counteract the moral decay in society, just as salt preserves food from decay. When we lose this desire to \u201csalt\u201d the earth with the love and message of God, we become useless to him.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Elijah replied, \u201cI have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I alone am left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    Elijah thought he was the only person left who was still faithful to God. He had seen both the king\u2019s court and the priesthood become corrupt. After experiencing great victory at Mount Carmel, he had to run for his life.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Lonely and discouraged, he forgot that others had remained faithful during the nation\u2019s wickedness. When you are tempted to think that you are the only one remaining faithful to a task, don\u2019t stop to feel sorry for yourself. Self-pity will dilute the good you are doing. Be assured that even if you don\u2019t know who they are, others are faithfully obeying God and fulfilling their duties.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other. We are saved from God\u2019s judgment and penalty for sin by God\u2019s gracious gift to us. We receive salvation by faith\u2014trusting in him\u2014not in anything else. Becoming a Christian is in no way based on our initiative, wise choice, or good character. We can be right with God only by believing in him.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Importance:<\/b> Your acceptance with God comes by believing in Christ alone. You must never add to or twist this truth. We are saved by faith, not by the good that we do. Have you placed your whole trust and confidence in Christ? He alone can forgive you and bring you into a relationship with God. Christ was faithful to all of us in dying for our sin. Paul was a faithful minister even when he was in prison. Paul urged Timothy to maintain not only sound doctrine but also loyalty, diligence, and endurance. Importance: We can count on opposition, suffering, and hardship as we serve Christ.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    But this shows that our faithfulness is having an effect on others. As we trust Christ, he counts us worthy to suffer, and he will give us the strength we need to be steadfast. Faith is confident trust in God\u2019s promises. God\u2019s greatest promise is that we can be saved through Jesus.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Importance:<\/b> If we trust in Jesus Christ for our complete salvation, he will transform us completely. A life of obedience and complete trust is pleasing to God.<\/span> James wants believers not only to hear the truth but also to put it into action. He contrasts empty faith (claims without conduct) with faith that works. Commitment to love and to serve others is evidence of true faith.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Importance:<\/b> Living faith makes a difference. Make sure your faith is more than just a statement; it should also result in action. Seek ways of putting your faith to work.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n
    \n
  • Lamentations 3:1-66<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Lamentations 3:22-23<\/span><\/li>\n
  • 1 Kings 19:1-21<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Mark 9:42-50<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Leviticus 2:13<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Matthew 5:13<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

     <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Family Unity<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

WHAT ACTIONS CAUSE THE MOST PROBLEMS FOR THE FAMILY?<\/span><\/p>\n

FAVORITISM DESTROYS FAMILY UNITY<\/span><\/p>\n

CHILDREN OFTEN BEAR THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR PARENTS\u2019 SINS<\/span><\/p>\n

FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES MUST BE A PRIORITY FOR CHRISTIANS<\/span><\/p>\n

FAMILY TRIUMPHS WHAT ACTIONS MOST STRENGTHEN FAMILY UNITY?<\/span><\/p>\n

RETELLING STORIES OF GOD\u2019S FAITHFULNESS BUILDS UP THE FAMILY<\/span><\/p>\n

CONSISTENT LIVING MAKES THE DEEPEST IMPRESSION ON CHILDREN<\/span><\/p>\n

FAMILY MEMBERS SHOULD HONOR ONE ANOTHER<\/span><\/p>\n

CHRISTIAN PARENTS CAN PASS ON THEIR FAITH TO THEIR CHILDREN<\/span><\/p>\n

GOD\u2019S COMMANDS APPLY TO BOTH PARENTS AND CHILDREN<\/span><\/p>\n

CHILDREN HAVE IMPORTANT GOD-GIVEN RESPONSIBILITIES WITHIN THE FAMILY<\/span><\/p>\n

PARENTS ARE NOT TO TAKE UNFAIR ADVANTAGE OF THEIR AUTHORITY<\/span><\/p>\n

OUR SPIRITUAL FAMILY HOW DO HUMAN FAMILIES EXEMPLIFY SPIRITUAL RELATIONSHIPS?<\/span><\/p>\n

THOSE WHO SHARE THE SAME SPIRITUAL FATHER ARE RELATED TO EACH OTHER<\/span><\/p>\n

MEMBERSHIP IN GOD\u2019S FAMILY IS MARKED BY HEARTFELT COMMITMENT<\/span><\/p>\n

GOD\u2019S FAMILY IS ETERNAL.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day he gave Joseph a special gift-a beautiful robe.. In Joseph\u2019s day, everyone had a robe or cloak. Robes were used to warm oneself, to bundle up belongings for a trip, to wrap babies in, to sit on, or even to serve as security for a loan. Most robes were knee length, short sleeved, and plain. In contrast, Joseph\u2019s robe was probably of the kind worn by royalty-long sleeved, ankle length, and colorful.<\/span><\/p>\n

The robe became a symbol of Jacob\u2019s favoritism toward Joseph, and it aggravated the already strained relations between Joseph and his brothers. Favoritism in families may be unavoidable, but its divisive effects should be minimized. Parents may not be able to change their feelings toward a favorite child, but they can change their actions toward the others. I show this unfailing love to many thousands by forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. Even so I do not leave sin unpunished, but I punish the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why would sins affect grandchildren and great-grandchildren? This is no arbitrary punishment. Children still suffer for the sins of their parents. Consider child abuse or alcoholism, for example. While these sins are obvious, sins like selfishness and greed can be passed along as well. The dire consequences of sin are not limited to the individual family member. Be careful not to treat sin casually, but repent and turn from it. The sin may cause you little pain now, but it could sting in a most tender area of your life later-your children and grandchildren. For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God\u2019s church?<\/span><\/p>\n

Christian workers and volunteers sometimes make the mistake of thinking their work is so important that they are justified in ignoring their families. Spiritual leadership, however, must begin at home. If a man is not willing to care for, discipline, and teach his children, he is not qualified to lead the church. Don\u2019t allow your volunteer activities to detract from your family responsibilities. You will be able to tell wonderful stories to your children and grandchildren about the marvelous things I am doing among the Egyptians to prove that I am the LORD.<\/span><\/p>\n

God told Moses that his miraculous experiences with Pharaoh should be retold to his descendants. What stories Moses had to tell! Living out one of the greatest dramas in biblical history, he witnessed events few people would ever see. It is important to tell our children about God\u2019s work in our past and to help them see what he is doing right now. What are the turning points in your life where God intervened?<\/span><\/p>\n

What is God doing for you now? Your stories will form the foundations of your children\u2019s belief in God. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey, when you are lying down and when you are getting up again. This passage provides the central theme of Deuteronomy. It sets a pattern that helps us relate the Word of God to our daily lives.<\/span><\/p>\n

We are to love God, think constantly about his commandments, teach his commandments to our children, and live each day by the guidelines in his Word. God emphasized the importance of parents teaching the Bible to their children. The church and Christian schools cannot be used to escape from this responsibility. The Bible provides so many opportunities for object lessons and practical teaching that it would be a shame to study it only one day a week. Eternal truths are most effectively learned in the loving environment of a God-fearing home. Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them; and his mother stored all these things in her heart.\u00a0 This is the first time we are told that Jesus was aware that he was God\u2019s Son.<\/span><\/p>\n

But even though he knew his real Father, he did not reject his earthly parents. He went back to Nazareth with them and lived under their authority for another eighteen years. God\u2019s people should not despise human relationships or family responsibilities. If the Son of God obeyed his human parents, how much more should we honor our family members! Don\u2019t use commitment to God\u2019s work to justify neglecting your family. Paul and Silas went first to Derbe and then on to Lystra. There they met Timothy, a young disciple whose mother was a Jewish believer, but whose father was a Greek.<\/span><\/p>\n

Timothy is the first second-generatio<\/span>n Christian mentioned in the New Testament. His mother, Eunice, and grandmother, Lois , had become believers and had faithfully influenced him for the Lord. Although Timothy\u2019s father apparently was not a Christian, the faithfulness of his mother and grandmother prevailed. Never underestimate the far-reaching consequences of raising one small child to love the Lord. \u201cHonor your father and mother.\u201d This is the first of the Ten Commandments that ends with a promise.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

If our faith in Christ is real, it will usually prove itself at home, in our relationships with those who know us best.<\/span><\/p>\n

Children and parents have a responsibility to each other. Children should honor their parents even if the parents are demanding and unfair. Parents should gently care for their children, even if the children are disobedient and unpleasant. Ideally, of course, Christian parents and Christian children will relate to each other with thoughtfulness and love. This will happen if both parents and children put the others\u2019 interests above their own-that is, if they submit to one another.<\/span><\/p>\n

There is a difference between obeying and honoring.<\/span> To<\/span><\/b> obey means to do as one is told; to honor means to respect and love<\/span><\/b>.<\/span> Children are not commanded to disobey God in obeying their parents. Adult children are not asked to be subservient to domineering parents.<\/span><\/p>\n

Children are to obey while under their parents\u2019 care, but the responsibility to honor parents is for life. Some societies honor their elders. They respect their wisdom, defer to their authority, and pay attention to their comfort and happiness.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is how Christians should act. Where elders are respected, long life is a blessing, not a burden to them. The purpose of parental discipline is to help children grow, not to exasperate and provoke them to anger or discouragement . Parenting is not easy-it takes lots of patience to raise children in a loving,\u00a0 Christ-honoring manner<\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

But frustration and anger should not be causes for discipline. Instead, parents should act in love, treating their children as Jesus treats the people he loves. This is vital to children\u2019s development and to their understanding of what Christ is like. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother! Jesus was not denying his responsibility to his earthly family. On the contrary, he criticized the religious leaders for not following the Old Testament command to honor their parents . He provided for his mother\u2019s security as he hung on the cross. His mother and brothers were present in the upper room at Pentecost .<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead,\u00a0 Jesus was pointing out that spiritual relationships are as binding as physical ones, and he was paving the way for a new community of believers (the universal church), our spiritual family. No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not a cutting of the body but a change of heart produced by God\u2019s Spirit. Whoever has that kind of change seeks praise from God, not from people. To be a Jew meant you were in God\u2019s family, an heir to all his promises. Yet Paul made it clear that membership in God\u2019s family is based on internal, not external, qualities. All whose hearts are right with God are real Jews-that is, part of God\u2019s family .<\/span><\/p>\n

Attending church or being baptized, confirmed, or accepted for membership are not enough, just as circumcision was not enough for the Jews. God desires our devotion and obedience\u00a0 \u201ccircumcising the heart.”<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span> When I think of the wisdom and scope of God\u2019s plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.<\/span><\/p>\n

The family of God includes all who have believed in him in the past, all who believe in the present, and all who will believe in the future. We are all a family because we have the same Father. He is the source of all creation, the rightful owner of everything.<\/span><\/p>\n

God promises his love and power to his family, the church.<\/span><\/p>\n

If we want to receive God\u2019s blessings, it is important that we stay in contact with other believers in the body of Christ. Those who isolate themselves from God\u2019s family and try to go it alone cut themselves off from God\u2019s power.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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