SOME DO'S & DON'TS FOR LIFE...

(Ephesians 4:25-27, 29-32 GNT)

Do's

1.         Each of you must tell the truth to the other believer, because we are all members together in the body of Christ.

2.         Use only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you.

3.         Be kind and tender-hearted to one another,

4.         Forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ.

Don'ts

1.         Do not make God's Holy Spirit sad; for the Spirit is God's mark of ownership on you, a guarantee that the Day will come when God will set you free.

2.         Don't give the Devil a chance.

3.         Do not let your anger lead you into sin, and do not stay angry all day.

4.         Do not use harmful words.

5.         Get rid of all bitterness, passion, and anger.

6.         No more lying

7.         No more shouting or insults,

8.         No more hateful feelings of any sort.

SUFFERING FOR DOING RIGHT?

For what credit is there if you endure the beatings you deserve for having done wrong? 

But if you endure suffering even when you have done right, God will bless you for it. It was to this that God called you, for Christ Himself suffered for you and left you an example, so that you would follow in His steps. 

(1 Peter 2:20, 21 GNT)

When you try to live in the ways of The Lord, focussing on how to please God, you will surely come across people who differ with you in ways, thoughts and deeds. 

These conflicts or disagreements can grow into enmity because of ego, further developing into undue hardship, non cooperation, slander, abuse, false accusations, character assassination etc..

What is the way out?

As God's children, 

1. Remain firm in your faith. Don't compromise with the truth.

2. Endure suffering for the sake of Christ without retaliating. God will soon open their eyes to see and realise the good work in you.

3. Try to be in peace with all. Forgive them for the harm they did to you. Don't develop hatred towards them. Most of the times, they oppose you because of their ignorance.

4. Pray for them regularly and intercede that God may open their eyes of understanding

5. Continue to do good, fulfilling your God given purpose, running the race with faith. 

6. Don't give up. Things/Situations/People will surely change for good.

HUMAN NATURE vs SPIRIT OF CHRIST

We are called to please God and to be victorious over our sinful human nature. The secret is to live as the Spirit of God leads us. Are you willing to obey?

• And so people become enemies of God when they are controlled by their human nature; for they do not obey God's law, and in fact they cannot obey it. 
• Those who obey their human nature cannot please God. 
• But if Christ lives in you, the Spirit is life for you because you have been put right with God, (even though your bodies are going to die because of sin).
• If the Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from death, lives in you, then He who raised Christ from death will also give life to your mortal bodies by the presence of His Spirit in you. 
• So then, my friends, we have an obligation, but it is not to live as our human nature wants us to.
• For if you live according to your human nature, you are going to die; 
• but if by the Spirit you put to death your sinful actions, you will live. 
• Those who are led by God's Spirit are God's children. 

(Romans 8:7, 8, 10-14 GNT)

BE AN EXAMPLE.

And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. (Titus 2:7 NLT)

God is not interested in preachers and hearers. But in doers according to His word. How is your life? Do you stop with preaching to others or correcting others or criticising others? Do your words and deeds match? 

When Jesus was walking in this world as a human, He went around doing good. He expects us to be the same. Don't look at others. But look at yourself first. Don't wait for others. Instead be a role model and an example to others in doing good. Be a living witness for Jesus. Be an example.

CORRUPT CONSCIENCES:

Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. Such people claim they know God, but they deny Him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good. (Titus 1:15, 16 NLT)

How is your conscience? Are you critical all the time? Are you a person who is known for finding faults with people and the things happening around? Are you able to appreciate others for their good works?

Self righteousness leads to pride, which will make us arrogant. Let us be careful in making critical comments over others. Let us not fall into the trap of pride. Instead let us be humble, filled with love and compassion for others and shall be people with a clear conscience before God and men.

NEW LIFE

Share with others about the New Life a person will get, when they put their faith in Jesus Christ.

This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. I have been sent out to tell others about the life He has promised through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 1:1 NLT)

Qualities of an Elder in the Church:

 

(1 Timothy 3:1-7 NLT)

This is a trustworthy saying: “If someone aspires to be an elder, he desires an honorable position.”  So an elder

# must be a man whose life is above reproach. 

# must be faithful to his wife. 

# must exercise self-control,

     *  live wisely and

     *  have a good reputation. 

# must enjoy having guests in his home, and 

# must be able to teach. 

# must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. 

# must be gentle, 

    * not quarrelsome, and 

    * not love money. 

# must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. 

For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? 

An elder must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. 

Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap. 

DISCIPLINE & DELIGHT

My child, don’t reject the Lord's discipline, and don’t be upset when He corrects you. For the Lord corrects those He loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom He delights. (Proverbs 3:11, 12 NLT)

God showed His love for you by the sacrifice of His son Jesus on the cross, whose blood was paid as the ransom to deliver you from the clutches of devil and sin.  As a person forgiven of your past sins, God delights in you.

He not only saved you from the debts of your past life, but is also concerned about your future. He is interested about your eternal life. He wants you to be with Him in heaven for eternity.

Therefore, He disciplines you every time you deviates from His will and way. His discipline is for your own good, so that you don't loose out on eternal life. 

Be grateful to God that He watches over you in every step of your life. 

Dreams and Desires

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5, 6 NLT)

God knows the desires of your heart and the dreams of your life. He will fulfil them according to His plan if you trust Him and commit your ways into His hands. So don't depend on your human instincts, but seek His will for your life and depend on Him in every step. He will direct you in the right way, in the right time.

He will never make a mistake.