Study War No More
As disciples of Christ, we are called to love our enemies, seek justice, and serve as reconcilers of conflict.
As disciples of Christ, we are called to love our enemies, seek justice, and serve as reconcilers of conflict.
Ask yourself, what would you like to be doing when Christ returns? If God would approve, then that's how you should be living each day.
Think about those times when you've really gotten the most out of your prayer. Where were you? Were you alone? Were you in a quiet place where you wouldn't be disturbed? Did you make time to pray where you could really petition God?
The message here is that we must rid ourselves of all these harmful and hurtful practices, so we can then freely commit ourselves to what Christ teaches.
Paul starts out by saying: Forget about deciding what's right for each other. Here's what you need to be concerned about: that you don't get in the way of someone else, making life more difficult than it already is.
What if the rich young man really did go back home, sold all he had, and gave the money to the poor? What do you think all of his friends, relatives and neighbors would have said?
I think what he's saying, is that it's not the size of the gift that matters, but the love and joy behind the giving of the gift that is important to God.
According to Paul, the mission of the church can only be accomplished if the entire church body is working in unison. The mission will never be accomplished through the efforts of one mortal person.
God's sovereignty is never exercised in condemning people who ought to be saved, but rather it has resulted in the salvation of people who ought to be lost.
If Jesus is in our human form, He can be wherever we are. Through us, the Holy Spirit can respond to the needs of others.