Sunday, April 24, 2011
Found this true
Ligonier: In the resurrection, the Father says "I am satisfied!" and removes the curse from us. -R.C. Sproul
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Quarrelling People. What to do?
I want to begin with a troubling issue. Destructive quarreling! Paul wrote that the fruit of the sinful nature include such things, Galatians 5:19-20 says "The acts of the flesh are obvious . . .discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions."
I believe James makes the greatest statement on the matter. "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
"God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble."
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
11 Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?"
Sorry for the length of the last quote but for me it speaks volumes. What good are my words when God has already spoken on the matter.
Jude wrote regarding such people when he said, "Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them." And again he wrote, "These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage."
What should we do? Learn the truth. "Build yourselves up in your most holy faith." Pray! Pray! Pray! Pray in the Spirit. Elijah prayed and it would not rain. He prayed again and then it did. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Thirdly, keep yourself in God's love. As you have received mercy be also merciful. Some who are new and struggling need mercy and encouragement. The fourth point is stay away from the sin! Finally, quoting the Message Titus 3:2 "No insults, no fights. God's people should be bighearted and courteous."
I believe James makes the greatest statement on the matter. "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
4 You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
"God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble."
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
11 Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?"
Sorry for the length of the last quote but for me it speaks volumes. What good are my words when God has already spoken on the matter.
Jude wrote regarding such people when he said, "Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them." And again he wrote, "These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage."
What should we do? Learn the truth. "Build yourselves up in your most holy faith." Pray! Pray! Pray! Pray in the Spirit. Elijah prayed and it would not rain. He prayed again and then it did. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Thirdly, keep yourself in God's love. As you have received mercy be also merciful. Some who are new and struggling need mercy and encouragement. The fourth point is stay away from the sin! Finally, quoting the Message Titus 3:2 "No insults, no fights. God's people should be bighearted and courteous."
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