Twelve tests for making a moral decision: (When I doubt, ask …)
Twelve tests for making a moral decision: (When I doubt, ask …) Will it make me a better Christian? Will it influence others to be better? Will it bring about desirable results? Will it help or hinder others? Will it make me morally stronger or weaker? Will it bring honor to my family? Suppose everybody did it? Is it forbidden in the Word of God? Is it a waste of God-endowed talents? Is it good common sense? Is it motivated by self love or love of Christ? Would I be willing for my family and friends to know about it?
Used to indicate a reciprocal relationship or reciprocal actions among the members of the set referred to by the antecedent God expects us to LOVE ONE ANOTHER!
Paul writing to the Romans says: Romans 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Romans 12:16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Romans 13:8Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. Romans 14:2For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Romans 14:4-5 Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. Romans 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. Romans 14:19Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. Romans 15:5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: Romans 15:7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. Romans 15:14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. Romans 15:20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation: Romans 16:16Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. God expects us to LOVE ONE ANOTHER!
Psalm 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. With … Joy, Love, Peace, Power, Praise, Zeal JOY –Romans 5:11And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. Romans 15:13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, LOVE-Romans 5:8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Galatians 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. PEACE – Romans 1:7To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Romans 8:6For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 15:33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. POWER – Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. PRAISE – Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Ephesians 1:12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. Philippians 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. ZEAL – Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
These are YOURS when you receive SalvationRomans 10:9-13
The Lord Jesus said … Matthew 18:17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
There is no escaping God’s Judgements if we NECLECT His Gift of Salvation.
1 Timothy 4:14Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
We fail … when we NEGLECT the Gift that God has given to each, freely.
Genesis 2:24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Proverbs 127:1-5Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Proverbs 22:6Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. The Lord Jesus stated: Mark 10:6-8 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. The Apostle Paul writes: Ephesians 6:2Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 1 Timothy 3:5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 1 Timothy 5:8But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. As one studies the word of God, we can see the family: Husband (man), Wife (woman) were to produce children and they were a FAMILY. IT WAS GOD’s PLAN from the beginning.
2 Corinthians 5:17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Therefore refers to the preceding verses. if any man it’s open to all, Jew, Gentile, male, female, to all. be in Christ, one becomes IN CHRIST when we believe Romans 10:9-13 he is a new creature: Not a making over, but a new creation things are passed away; 3 things that are passed away: Condemnation of the LAW is gone! The power of SIN is gone! Old friends, desires will be gone! behold, all things are become new. 7 NEW A new happiness … here in this life A new hope … for the future (Rapture, Heaven) A new reason for living … to serve God and family A new outlook on life … HE (Christ) lives in me A new goal … To please Him A new peace …. Of mind, better thoughts A new priority …. God, others … self Let’s summarize: Our past:Ephesians 2:2-3 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. Our present life: Ephesians 2:5-6 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: Our future life: Ephesians 2:7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
This is for Believers Genesis 3:1-7 1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
2-3 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. SIX STEPS AWAY FROM GOD: Vs 1 Listen to Others Vs 2-3 Answer in your own wisdom Vs 4 Believe what they say Vs 5 Ignore the truth Vs 6 Follow their advice Vs 7 When you find out you’ve been wrong … Cover it up …
The solution: Realize your sin, turn from it and the keep God and His Word first in your Life.
The Scripture gives many warnings about false teachers, Here are only 4 references: The apostle Paul warns the Galatians: Galatians 5:7-12 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. I would they were even cut off which trouble you. Then near the end of his life, Pau warns Timothy: 2 Timothy 3:1-10This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their’s also was. But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. The apostle Peter warns believing Jews: 2 Peter 2:1-3 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. Jude also warns believing Jews of false teachers: Jude 3-4Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. How can we identify false teachers? 2 TIMOTHY 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Compare Scripture with Scripture. Who said (wrote) it and to whom was it spoken (written) to? How does it apply (to me) today?
– dearly loved, a much loved person 62 times in the KJV New Testament.
When the Lord Jesus was baptized by john the Baptist: Matthew 3:17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22 A fulfilment of Isaiah 42:1-2. Matthew 12:18Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. On the mount of transfiguration: Matthew 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.Mark 9:7, Luke 9:35 Part of a Parable. Luke 20:13 Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. The Apostle Paul referees to believers: Romans 1:7To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 9:25As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. Romans 11:28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father’s sakes. Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Romans 16:5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. Romans 16:8-9Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. Romans 16:12Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 4:14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. 1 Corinthians 4:17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. 1 Corinthians 10:14Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. 1 Corinthians 15:58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 2 Corinthians 7:1Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 12:19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
I asked God to take away my pain. God said, No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up. I askedGod to make my handicapped child whole. God said, No. Her spirit was whole, her body is only temporary. I asked God to grant me patience. God said, No. Patience is a by-product of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is learned. I asked God to give me happiness. God said, No. I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you. I asked God to spare me pain. God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me. I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, No. You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. God said, No. I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things. I asked God to help me love others, as much as he loves me. God said, Ahhhh, you’re starting to understand.
“To the world you might be one person, But to one person you just might be the world.“
