The tragedy of persecution.
- China's Boxer Rebellion
WE ARE COMMANDED by our God and great King above to…
1) Love our NEIGHBOR Romans 13:9
x
x
Love our ENEMIES Matthew 5:44
Love our BRETHREN John 13:34,35
Love our SPOUSES Colossians 3:19; Tit 2:4
Love the WORD of God 2 Thessalonians 2:10; 1 John 2:5
Love and OBEY GOD with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind Matthew 22:37,38You will notice that "Love our enemies" is at the top of the list.
We all love those close to us...but if we cannot or just plain refuse to love those who hate us we cannot possible love the Lord Jesus Christ, and when we claim to be a Christian we are lying, and projecting a false image of the Christian faith.
Never forget what Christ has done for you and never forget what you were.
Memory can be a blessing or a curse. In the spiritual life, it can be very healthy to remember what life was like before we met Jesus. If you remember where you started, you’ll appreciate much more the grace of God that has brought you to where you are today.
So Never Forget we were sinners, and we still are.
But we said "Yes" to Jesus and that is what sets us apart...not our imagined perfection.
So Never Forget we were sinners, and we still are.
But we said "Yes" to Jesus and that is what sets us apart...not our imagined perfection.
In God's family there is discipline if we sin, and that discipline can sometimes be painful.
The Lord will chasten His best beloved servants if they cease from full obedience to Him.
It is far better to be spanked by the Lord now (which shows He loves us) than to be discarded and reside in hell for eternity.
The punishment of sin is everlasting, but the fatherly chastisement of it in a child of God is but for a season. The sickness, the poverty, the depression of spirit, will pass away when they have had their intended effect. Remember, we are not under law, but under grace. The rod may make us smart, but the sword shall not make us die. Our present grief is meant to bring us to repentance that we may not be destroyed with the wicked."
We must not only bear our own afflictions patiently, but we must do all we can to help those who are in misery.
We must have compassion on the souls of others, and help them; pity those who are in sin, and seek to snatch them as brands out of the burning fire.
This is in part from Charles Spurgeon's "Faith's Checkbook" August 14th.
It is far better to be spanked by the Lord now (which shows He loves us) than to be discarded and reside in hell for eternity.
The punishment of sin is everlasting, but the fatherly chastisement of it in a child of God is but for a season. The sickness, the poverty, the depression of spirit, will pass away when they have had their intended effect. Remember, we are not under law, but under grace. The rod may make us smart, but the sword shall not make us die. Our present grief is meant to bring us to repentance that we may not be destroyed with the wicked."
We must not only bear our own afflictions patiently, but we must do all we can to help those who are in misery.
We must have compassion on the souls of others, and help them; pity those who are in sin, and seek to snatch them as brands out of the burning fire.
This is in part from Charles Spurgeon's "Faith's Checkbook" August 14th.